Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 58: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of radiotherapy services in the north west of the country; her further views on earlier announcements of a network of radiotherapy services to be provided by 2011; the timeframes available for providing radiotherapy services to the north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41388/06]

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 to 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.

My Department is working closely with the HSE and the National Development Finance Agency to progress the National Radiation Oncology Plan announced by Government in July 2005. The Agency has assembled a team to progress the financial and procurement aspects of the Plan, to be provided mostly by PPP. The HSE has appointed a Project Manager and support team. The Clinical Output Specifications are being finalised and technical advisors will be appointed shortly to advise on the construction and other technical aspects of the project. Six new linear accelerators will be provided by traditional procurement in the Eastern Region in the short term, two in St. Luke's Hospital Dublin in late 2007 and two each in St. James's and Beaumont Hospitals by early 2009.

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of admissions to neurological services in each of the neurological units from 2002 to date in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41435/06]

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

Information available to my Department and the Health Service Executive indicates that the number of patients discharged from neurological units for each of the years 2002 to 2006 was:

In the current year a total of 3,779 patients were discharged from neurological units between January and October. My Department will forward a more comprehensive table showing the number of patients discharged from the various neurological units directly to the Deputy.

The Government provided an additional €3m in 2006 to develop neuroscience services, including neurology services. This money is being used to fund the development of new neurology units in Waterford, Limerick and Sligo. In addition the HSE has provided funding for the appointment of an additional paediatric neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital. The recently published Estimates for 2007 include provision for a further €4m to continue developments in neurosciences.