Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 704: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans and that of the Health Service Executive for the St. Luke's Hospital site in Rathgar following the transfer of services to St. James's Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1400/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 777: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to current discussions with the Health Service Executive and hospital board regarding the future use of the site and facilities at St. Luke's to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interests of the health services, as referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 5 December 2006, with reference to the proposed closure of St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin 6; if her attention has been drawn to the widespread unease, unrest and dismay of patients who have attended there at the prospect of the loss of the expert care and attention provided at St. Luke's in a warm, caring and personal environment; if she has received expressions of concern from patients who are anxious that the proposed relocation of the services will result in greater stress for them and will not provide increased or improved services; if she will review the decision to close the hospital in view of these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1814/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 704 and 777 together.

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 last 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. 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 plan.

Discussions on transfer, facilitated by the HSE, are taking place involving the Chief Executives of both hospitals. A working group is in place to develop close working relationships and ensure a smooth transition. In addition and in recognition of the role for St. Luke's in the new facility at St. James's, I will pursue discussions with the Boards of both Hospitals about its governance and a re-configuration of the Boards. The twin goals are to ensure continuity of expertise and ethos in the care of cancer patients and the effective integration of multi-disciplinary patient care at the one site.

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 this year.

As regards the future use of the site and facilities at St Luke's, my objective is to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interests of the health services. I will discuss this issue in due course with the Health Service Executive and the Hospital Board following progress on the governance issues to which I have referred.