Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on her recent meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister, Mr. Michael McGimpsey; the matters on the agenda; her discussions regarding the provision of radiotherapy in the north west; the progress made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23766/07]

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

I together with Ministers of State, Jimmy Devins TD and Pat "The Cope" Gallagher TD met with Michael McGimpsey MLA, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on Friday 5 October 2007. The issues discussed were Suicide, Cancer Services, Pandemic Flu and Acute Hospital Services. The significant amount of current joint cooperation was acknowledged and it was agreed to continue to pursue options for working on an all island basis on these issues.

In relation to radiotherapy services in the North West, the position is that cancer patients requiring radiation oncology treatment are referred to either St. Luke's Hospital Dublin or to University College Hospital Galway. A Service Level Agreement, which was developed under Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT), is also in place for the referral of radiation oncology patients from Donegal to Belfast City Hospital. The potential for further cross border co-operation and collaboration in relation to cancer care was discussed at the meeting. It was agreed that both Departments would progress this issue through a Joint North/South Feasibility Study on the potential for future co-operation which is currently underway.