Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans she has to develop a dialysis unit at the County Hospital, Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39878/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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This year an additional €8m was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the development of renal services, including dialysis, throughout the country. The Estimates for 2007 which were published recently include additional funding of €4m for the HSE to continue the development of renal services including dialysis.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy in relation to the provision of dialysis services for people from County Roscommon.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the rationale of the decision to transfer St Luke's Hospital from Rathgar to St James's Hospital; the way she will replicate the support buildings and structures for cancer patients currently located at St Luke's Hospital which were largely constructed by fundraising over a large number of years; her views on whether the environment created at St Luke's has been part of the success of the hospital; her further views on whether a holistic approach towards treatment of cancer patients can affect the outcomes; if the land or buildings at St Luke's have been valued; if that has played a part in the decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39883/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The decision to transfer St. Luke's Hospital was taken by the Government in the context of its consideration of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology Services. The decision is based on expert advice and is designed to ensure that radiation oncology, one element of cancer care, is integrated with all other aspects of care, including surgery and medical oncology. This is in line with best international practice. I am convinced that this model will provide better patient centred treatment with improved quality of service and outcome for patients. The Board of St. Luke's Hospital and its Executive Management Team are fully committed to supporting the Government's decision in relation to the development of radiation oncology. A transfer on similar lines took place earlier this year in Northern Ireland when radiation oncology services transferred to Belfast City Hospital, a major academic teaching hospital.

In progressing the transfer, I will build on the expertise and ethos of St. Luke's. I have ensured that experts at St. Luke's are centrally involved in the planning and delivery of the National Plan. The plan consists of large centres in Dublin (at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals), Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. Medical and scientific experts from St. Luke's are involved in developing the output specifications for the delivery of new radiation oncology services nationally. The Chief Executive at St. Luke's will lead the management team of the new facility at St. James's. I also appointed the Chairman of St. Luke's to chair a National Radiation Oncology Oversight Group to advise me on progress on the implementation of the National Plan.

The tender has recently been awarded for two additional and two replacement linear accelerators at St. Luke's to provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the National Plan. I expect these services to commence late next year. I also recently announced the approval of two radiation oncology facilities at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, comprising of two linear accelerators and associated treatment planning at each site, to be delivered in early 2009. These are key elements of the delivery of the National Plan.

The expertise and professional commitment of the staff at St. Luke's Hospital will continue to be an essential element in the development of cancer care.