James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an independent review or report has been carried out on care and conditions in St Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin particularly covering the years 1995 to 2002 or thereafter; if a copy of the report will be made available to Members of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27144/07]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive has carried out a report or review on care and conditions in St Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin; if her Department has received a copy of the report or been informed of the contents of the report; if so, if her Department or the HSE will make the report available to Members of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27145/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

A review was undertaken in respect of the complaints received in relation to St. Mary's Hospital Phoenix Park. A report on the matter has recently been received by the Health Service Executive and is at present under consideration by the Executive. My Department has not to date received a copy of the report. The HSE expects to be in a position shortly to advise the complainant and my Department on how the range of issues associated with this complaint can most appropriately be progressed. The question of dissemination of the report is a matter for the HSE.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a decision has been made in relation to Mayo General Hospital holding on to the existing oncology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27148/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if meetings have taken place between herself and a person (details supplied) in relation to the oncology services in a hospital. [27150/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.

The implementation of the National Cancer Control Programme is a major priority for me and for this Government. I fully support the appointment by the Health Service Executive (HSE) of Prof. Tom Keane as Interim National Cancer Control Director. The delivery of cancer services on a programmatic basis will serve to ensure equity of access to services and equality of patient outcome irrespective of geography. The decisions of the HSE in relation to four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. The HSE plans to have completed 50% of the transition of services to the cancer centres by end 2008 and 80-90% by end 2009.

The HSE has designated University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) and Limerick Regional Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for the HSE Western Region which includes Mayo. The designation of cancer centres aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care while at the same time allowing local access to services, where appropriate. Where diagnosis and treatment planning is directed and managed by multidisciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, then much of the treatment (other than surgery) can be delivered in local hospitals, such as Mayo General Hospital.

I have met with the person referred to by the Deputy on a number of occasions but none of our discussions have related specifically to oncology services at Mayo General Hospital.