Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Murnane O'Connor for raising this matter and apologise on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, who cannot be here this morning as he is attending a meeting in the Department. I am sorry but that is the truth.

At the outset, I wish to convey my sympathies to any family experiencing delays in receiving timely treatment in our hospitals. I can only imagine the distress caused by any disruption to a patient's treatment but particularly to a child undergoing chemotherapy.The Minister, Deputy Harris, has been advised by the hospital that delays are being experienced as a consequence of essential maintenance works in three rooms in St. John's oncology ward. As a parent of a son who, in his early years, spent time in this ward, I am aware of the extraordinary and exceptional job being done by the staff in caring and comforting young children and their families at a time when their lives are being turned upside down. These works, combined with an increase demand on Crumlin hospital's oncology service for inpatient beds is proving a particular challenge at present for the site. The hospital recognises, and sincerely regrets, the impact that the change in admission date has on had patients and their families. Furthermore, any decision to delay admission or treatment is not taken lightly. When such decisions are made, they are made to ensure a safe environment, with safe delivery of care to all patients the priority at all times.

Last year, the Minister, Deputy Harris, launched the national cancer strategy under which cancer services for children and adolescents-young adults are an area of particular focus. The strategy aims to further develop child and young adolescent cancer services in the new national children’s hospital. The schedule of accommodation of the new haematology and oncology unit in the hospital will significantly increase the capacity to deliver more comprehensive cancer care. This could include treatment of specific clinically driven conditions for adolescents-young adults who have paediatric-centric tumours and are aged between 16 and 20 years. The aim is to ensure that patients are treated in the centre - adult or paediatric - most appropriate to their needs.

Nationally, the national cancer control programme leads the implementation of the new cancer strategy in the HSE. This involves providing leadership across the continuum of care, from diagnosis to treatment to appropriate follow-up and support, in both the hospital and community setting. The children’s hospital group will work with the national cancer control programme in particular on the development of adolescent and young adults' cancer services, contributing to the development of the survivorship programme. Services for the treatment of cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and systemic anti-cancer therapy, SACT, which includes medical oncology and haemato-oncology. The majority, but not all, of cancer surgery now takes place in the designated cancer centres. Our Lady’s children's hospital, Crumlin is the designated cancer centres for paediatrics.

I assure the Senator that in the context of improving hospital services for all patients, the Minister, Deputy Harris, is in ongoing contact with the children’s hospital group and he will be engaging with it on this matter in terms of seeking assurances for the maintenance of oncology activity and targets at Crumlin hospital. On my own behalf, and as Minister of State at the Department of Health, I apologise to Mr. and Mrs. Bolger and their son for the delay in the provision of his treatment. As the report outlines, there are difficulties, particularly around the maintenance of this unit, and these are being addressed.