Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 253: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the prospect of radiotherapy facilities being provided in the north west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41139/06]

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

The Government decided in July 2005 that the best option for improving geographic access for patients in the North West to radiation oncology services is to facilitate access to Belfast City Hospital and progress consideration of a joint venture for the provision of oncology services in the medium term to patients in the North West from a satellite centre in the North West linked to Belfast. Until recently, cancer patients in Donegal requiring radiation oncology treatment were referred to either St. Luke's Hospital Dublin or to University College Hospital Galway. I am pleased that a Service Level Agreement has now concluded for the referral of about 50 radiation oncology patients annually from Donegal to Belfast.

It has also been agreed that the number will be increased if there is sufficient demand from patients in Donegal. Three assessment clinics will be held each month on an ongoing basis. The first referral clinic took place on 8 November. As regards progressing the consideration of a satellite in the North West, the Deputy will appreciate that my first priority was to gain access for cancer patients in the North West to Belfast as early as possible. The issue of a satellite centre in the North West will be pursued with the authorities in Northern Ireland at both Departmental and Ministerial levels.

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

Question 256: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans there are to establish a neurosurgical national centre of excellence at University College Hospital Galway to complement the existing centres in Cork and Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41164/06]

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

The Health Services Executive recently published a Review of Neurosurgical Services in Ireland. It identifies a clear need for significant investment in and organisational reform of neurosurgical services. Neurosurgery is currently provided at the national centre in Beaumont Hospital and in Cork University Hospital. The Report recommends that the future development of safe, high quality neurosurgical services in Ireland would be best served by a two-pronged approach: 1. Increased capacity in Dublin and Cork; 2. Improved access to neurosurgical units, including transport and telemedicine facilities for referring hospitals.

The HSE is committed to progressing the recommendations of the Report. It is undertaking a national neurosciences needs assessment. Neuroscience includes neurology, neurophysiology and neurosurgery. This assessment is guided by previous reviews of neurology and neurophysiology services and the recent report on neurosurgery. It aims to clearly identify the requirements for neuroscience services as a whole across the country. An additional €3m was provided in 2006 to develop 3 new neurology units in Waterford, Limerick and Sligo through the appointment of 3 consultant neurology teams. In addition, the HSE provided funding for the appointment of an additional paediatric neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital this year.

The recently published Estimates for the Health Service Executive provides a further €4m to continue these developments into 2007. Lengthy consideration was given to the case for a neurosurgical unit in Galway. The conclusion was that a neurosurgical unit in Galway would not be viable and that the needs of the entire population would be best served by increasing capacity in Dublin and Cork and improving access to services. The HSE is convinced that the implementation of the recommendations of the report represents the best way forward in terms of building a high quality neurosurgical service that will meet the needs of the entire population.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 257: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason post-mortems are no longer carried out at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the number of post-mortems that have been transferred out of the hospital in each of the past three years, including figures available for 2006; the cost per transfer; if it is planned to carry out post-mortems again at the hospital; and if so, when. [41165/06]

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

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 258: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if all patients have been relocated from unit 3 of James Connolly Memorial Hospital to an alternative facility within the hospital complex as promised; if patients are being provided with the appropriate level of occupational therapy in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41173/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

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

Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a bed in the Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41176/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.