Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 865: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of reports she has received from the Health Service Executive on progress in the implementation of the plan for development of radiation oncology services; the date of those reports; the action she has taken on foot of the reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2406/07]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 891: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to negotiations with the British Government regarding the locating of a satellite radiotherapy unit based in Letterkenny General Hospital to service cancer patients in the north west cross-border region. [2475/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 891 together.

On 31 July, 2006 I received a report from the Health Service Executive (HSE) on progress in implementing the Government's National Plan for Radiation Oncology. Significant progress is being made supported by substantial additional investment, both revenue and capital. The main developments are as follows:

The procurement of additional capacity (2 linear accelerators) for St. Luke's Hospital Rathgar. This is scheduled to be delivered around the end of 2007.

The provision of interim facilities at Beaumont Hospital (2 linear accelerators) and St. James's Hospital (2 linear accelerators). These facilities will be delivered by early 2009. The capital requirements amount to €45m.

A Clinical Output Specification Group has completed an assessment of population needs, linear accelerator requirements by site, bed issues, specialty distribution, supplier mix, equipment specification, functional specification and contract flexibility.

The HSE has appointed a Project Director. A project team was also established comprising representatives from the HSE, National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) and the Hospital Planning Office. The team meets twice monthly and is progressing all procurement and planning issues.

Four leading international experts have been appointed to validate the population needs assessments, technical specifications, process mapping and other outputs.

A Project Board has been appointed by the HSE to provide overall governance and resolution of policy issues as they arise. It includes HSE, NDFA and Departmental participants as well as expertise from outside the State. The Project Board meets six weekly.

The Project Director is working with the HSE National Hospitals Office to ensure appropriate integration of the privately operated facility in Limerick.

A Senior Project Manager in HR/Workforce Planning has been appointed to deal with recruitment, training and retention issues.

The HSE has contracted an international Radiation Oncology Expert to advise on process re-engineering and improved workforce efficiencies. The HSE is to utilise the opportunities presented by the Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016 to progress more flexible working arrangements including an extended working hours model, to improve the delivery of radiation oncology.

The Project Team is establishing nationally standardised operating and ICT systems and national data and Quality Assurance systems will be developed.

Additional revenue funding of €3.25m has been provided in 2007 to support the implementation of the National Plan. This funding will support the appointment of five additional Consultant Radiation Oncologists, 7 Specialist Registrars and five support staff. The funding will also support the two linear accelerator capacity expansion at St. Luke's Hospital.

In December, 2006 I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the HSE and I agreed that the Executive should examine options to speed up the pace of delivery. The Executive will make recommendations to me shortly on the earliest delivery of the Plan in the best interests of cancer patients throughout the country.

As regards the referral of patients from Donegal to Belfast City Hospital (BCH), a Service Level Agreement is now in place for the referral of about 50 radiation oncology patients annually and a number of patients have already been referred for treatment. It has also been agreed that the number will be increased if there is sufficient demand from patients in Donegal. In November 2006, I met with the Minister for Health for Northern Ireland and we discussed progressing consideration of a satellite centre in the North West linked to BCH. Further discussions will take place at official level involving both Departments.