Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I congratulate Donegal Senators Doherty and Ó Domhnaill on their recent election. I convey the apologies of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who could not be in the House this afternoon to deal with this matter. I welcome the opportunity to address the issues raised by the Senators regarding radiotherapy services for cancer patients in the north west.

Some time ago, the Minister agreed with the then Minister for Health for Northern Ireland, Mr. Sean Woodward MP, that the radiation oncology centre at Belfast City Hospital would provide treatment to patients from Donegal. A project board was established under the aegis of Co-operation and Working Together to deliver on the ministerial commitment. It includes representatives from Belfast City Hospital, Altnagelvin, Letterkenny, the Health Service Executive and both Departments. A service level agreement is now in place for the referral of radiation oncology patients from Donegal to Belfast City Hospital.

The Minister for Health and Children informed the House yesterday of the appointment by the HSE of the interim national cancer control director to lead and manage the establishment of the national cancer control programme. This will have responsibility for the management and delivery of all aspects of cancer control within the HSE. The delivery of cancer services on a programmatic basis will ensure equity of access to services and equality of patient outcome, irrespective of geography. This will involve the significant realignment of cancer services, to move from the present fragmented system of care to one which is consistent with international best practice in cancer control. It is important the decision of the HSE regarding four national cancer control networks and eight cancer control centres is implemented without delay.

It is fully recognised that particular and unique geographical circumstances apply to Donegal. This is reflected in North-South co-operation in the provision of radiation oncology to patients from Donegal at Belfast City Hospital. On a sole exception basis, the managed cancer control network in the west will be permitted to enter into outreach service delivery in Letterkenny as an additional activity. This exception is subject to certain quality assurance standards, linkage to University College Hospital Galway, governance and staffing arrangements to ensure equity of services provided to patients from Donegal.

The reorganisation of cancer services is at the heart of the delivery of the national cancer control strategy and it is imperative the decisions relating to the north west are recognised as being in the best interests of patients and do not negatively impinge on the success of the programme. We have a unique opportunity to provide patients with cancer services which are on a par with international standards and improve survival by as much as 20%.

Regarding the national plan for radiation oncology, a key factor in the successful delivery of effective radiation oncology is its integration within the National Cancer Control Programme. I expect a national director of radiation oncology to be appointed without delay.

The Department of Health and Children and the HSE have been working closely on the examination of procurement options in order to expedite the delivery of the plan. The Minister met with Department officials and with the HSE yesterday. It is now clear that we will have in place radiation oncology capacity to meet the needs of the population by 2010. After 2010 we will continue to increase capacity to ensure that these needs continue to be met. We are fully confident that this will be achieved through a combination of direct Exchequer provision, public private partnership and, where appropriate, the use of the private sector. The sole objective of the national plan for radiation oncology is to meet the needs of the cancer population. There is no doubt that this will now be achieved.

The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland, including the north west. I am pleased to say that the Minister will meet with her counterpart Minister in Northern Ireland, Michael McGimpsey, in the coming weeks where the potential for further cross-Border co-operation and collaboration on cancer care, and specifically radiotherapy, will be discussed.