Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Staff

9:00 am

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a decision has been made to appoint a permanent breast cancer surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital; if the appointed consultant will be based permanently in Letterkenny; when it is expected that the appointment will be made; the services being provided for breast cancer in Letterkenny pending the appointment of the full-time consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38950/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if arrangements have been finalised with the Northern Ireland Authorities to provide radiotherapy, particularly for Donegal patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38951/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Last Autumn, I agreed with the then Minister for Health for Northern Ireland that the radiation oncology centre at BCH would provide treatment for patients from Donegal. A Project Board was established under the aegis of Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) to deliver on this commitment. It included representatives from BCH, Altnagelvin, Letterkenny, the HSE and both Departments.

At the last meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Council on 24 October 2006, it was announced that agreement has been reached for the referral of about 50 radiation oncology patients annually from Donegal to BCH. It has also been agreed that the number will be increased if there is sufficient demand from patients in Donegal. Patient pathways have been developed and the HSE and BCH have agreed the basis for costing the service provided by BCH. Three assessment clinics will be held each month on an ongoing basis. The first referral clinic took place on 8th November and the first patient has already been referred for treatment.

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