Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important matter of the transfer of the breast cancer treatment unit from the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital to Cork University Hospital. This is my second time to raise this matter on the Adjournment. If we support the principles of the national cancer strategy, the breast care unit of the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital should remain on that site. It is a specialised centre. It is a centre of excellence that has diagnosed and treated over many years the necessary high caseload requirement to create exceptional expertise in site-specific cancer. In 2008, the excellent staff in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital diagnosed 290 new primary breast cancer cases.

The co-located BreastCheck diagnosed 122 new primary breast cancer cases, all of which were treated at the South Infirmary University Hospital, bringing the total treated to 412. In comparison, Cork University Hospital diagnosed and treated 141 new primary breast cancers.

It is frightening that retired surgeon Mr. John Kelly was forced to state at a public meeting that "if he were a woman he would be very concerned about the transfer in its current format". It is frightening also that a leading breast surgeon, Mr. Denis Richardson, referred to the decision to transfer "as a political decision, not a medical one" in the Irish Examiner in March of this year. Why are we not listening to the clinicians involved? Do women's lives mean so little that we can glibly enforce a decision politically that destroys a breast care unit in the region?

We must look to the national cancer strategy and the network of hospitals. Networking is possible in Dublin. The Minister's argument that this is based on encouraging academic pursuit is spurious. The fact remains that in Cork, if the political will exists, the networking of Cork University Hospital with South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital is advisable, feasible and is the only safe way to protect patient care. This is not about doctors or political bases or power struggles, it is about the lives of patients and their families. There are different rules for different parts of the country. Why is Cork different? Misdiagnosis, early diagnosis and detection are critical words in many women's lives in the city and county.

The last time I raised this issue in the Seanad, I received in reply descriptive comments and vague answers that did not address a single question I asked. It was stated by the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, that the relocation of the South Infirmary breast disease service to Cork University Hospital would create a critical mass of specialists of all oncology disciplines on a single site. That is not the case at all. In Cork we already have a critical mass of specialists of all oncology disciplines on a single site — South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital. We can argue about radiation oncology and pathology but the bottom line is that we must rethink the implementation programme for the national cancer strategy in the context of creating centres of excellence. There is already a centre of excellence. Not all of the eight designated centres have radiation oncology or pathology. If pathology can occur on-site, someone should inform the National Cancer Institute in Washington to cancel the current largest ever worldwide breast pathology trial, the TAILORx trial. It is not too late to save €5 million of taxpayers' money that will destroy an excellent service. We can stay on the present site.

The last time I raised this issue, I did not get the promised reply from the Department. This is not just about politics or power bases, it is about women's lives. We have built the centre of excellence and if we are to treat people properly and with dignity, why are we dismantling it? That fundamental question remains to be answered, as do questions about the cost factor. We can save more than €5 million by stopping the transfer. Other figures are worth bearing in mind, particularly those for diagnosis and detection in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in comparison with Cork University Hospital.

Why are we not listening to the clinicians involved? Do women's lives mean so little we can glibly enforce a decision that destroys an excellent breast care unit in the area and move it to Cork University Hospital? I appeal to the Minister of State to answer these questions and tell me the Minister will return to consult those involved.