Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when Professor Tom Keane will be visiting Sligo General Hospital to evaluate the cancer service at the centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1237/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has designated University College Hospital Galway and Limerick Regional Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for the HSE Western Region, which includes Sligo. 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 multi-disciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, then much of the treatment (other than surgery) can be delivered in local hospitals, such as Sligo General Hospital. 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. Prof. Keane is currently engaging in detailed planning to facilitate the orderly phased transfer of services between locations.

The specific question as to when Prof. Keane will be visiting Sligo General Hospital relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the HSE under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.