Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Yes. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, to the House. I am sharing my time but have much to say on this subject. I have enjoyed the debate. Prevention is obviously better than cure at all times and while I commend the current screening programmes, they must be expedited. The BreastCheck initiative must be completed and operational nationally rather than in some counties only.

The provision of oncology services is a significant issue in Waterford city. Rightly or wrongly, it has been an election issue. Approximately 20,000 people went to the streets of Waterford to fight for equality of access to radiotherapy and oncology services. As a result we have secured a commitment, which we hope the Government will honour, that radiotherapy services will be provided in Waterford and the south east.

I must mention a specific case in which I was recently involved. The Department seems to be kicking to touch; it blames the HSE when events are going badly but accepts plaudits when they are going well. A constituent of mine was referred to the regional hospital by his home care hospice nurse five weeks ago because she believed he was developing a clot. He entered the hospital at 5 o'clock that evening. I received a telephone call from his wife at 11 p.m. to the effect that he still had not been seen in the accident and emergency department. He was eventually seen at midnight but this type of occurrence should not happen. I attended that man's funeral last week, which should inform the House about the serious need for radiotherapy services, accident and emergency units, etc. Cancer touches every family in our communities. Very few families avoid the trauma of a loved one suffering cancer.

I commend the Government. We are starting from a very low base as regards the provision of oncology services. We are making some progress but we must expedite matters. I examined the Minister of State's suggested programme, namely, that we will spend over €400 million in a capital programme in the next ten years, most of which will be provided through public-private partnerships. The plan is dependent on private capital. Is this correct? When one compares this capital investment of €400 million to the astronomical figure envisaged in respect of Transport 21 it is mind-boggling. Health should be the priority of any Government.

The Hollywood report stated 35% to 36% of cancer patients in Ireland receive radiotherapy at some stage of their lives, which compares with 50% to 60% of patients in other countries in Europe and the West. There is a distinct variation in the interval between cancer diagnosis and the commencement of radiation therapy in Ireland. The report showed that where one lives often impacts on the level of service one receives. It also stated 8% of patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer had their first treatment within a month if they lived in the Dublin area compared with only 3% if they lived in other areas. We must address this issue.

I acknowledge we are making some progress. We must also examine the shortage of specialists in this area; more oncologists and nurses are needed to deal with specific areas. Now is the time to address the issue, not the future. People are dying unnecessarily due to lack of services.