Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 250: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is her view that the sparse population of the north-west region presents obstacles to the establishing of a quality service to meet the needs of cancer patients in Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3010/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am fully committed to the development of high quality and quality assured cancer care for all patients regardless of geography. This objective is shared by the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive and is reflected in the executive's national service plan, 2006. There is a significant role for primary care services in the provision and development of cancer care. These services include health promotion, early detection and screening and palliative care. Primary care is a key element in the delivery of integrated cancer services involving secondary and tertiary services. The specialist management of specific types of cancers should be delivered by hospitals where care is more specialised thereby increasing the likelihood of better survival; there are higher caseloads of patients, increasing the experience and ability to sub-specialise; diagnosis and treatment planning is conducted by multidisciplinary teams; and audit and other quality assurance programmes are in place.

While a limited number of centres will generate sufficient workload for breast or colon cancer, for example, they would not support the management of more complex but less common cancers including cancers of the pancreas, oesophagus, lung, bone, brain or paediatric tumours. There is significant evidence in international research that associates case volume and sub-specialisation with improved patient outcome.

There has been significant investment in cancer care in the north west since 1997, more than €47 million. Additional medical consultants have been appointed in the region in key areas of cancer care, including medical oncology, palliative care, histopathology, haematology and surgery. More than 20 cancer care nurse specialists have been appointed and there has been a 25% increase in oncology day case activity in 2005. BreastCheck has confirmed that it will commence breast screening of women in the 50 to 64 age group in the north west in 2007.