Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 249: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the needs of cancer sufferers are best served by the retention of St. Luke's Hospital and the facilities there, having particular regard to the extent to which patients have confidence in and rely on the services at St. Luke's; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24502/07]

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

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 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 this regard. 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 transfer of services from St. Luke's Hospital to new facilities at St. James's Hospital is not due to take place for a number of years. In the meantime, two additional linear accelerators will be commissioned at St. Luke's in early 2008 and two replacement linear accelerators will be commissioned later in 2008. These will provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the National Plan.