Written answers

Thursday, 25 September 2008

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the additional resources which are to be provided to University College Hospital Galway to specifically cater for cancer patients from the north west who are forced to travel to facilities in Galway; when the additional resources and facilities will be provided; if this will be in advance of the downgrading of the services in Sligo; the discussions which have taken place regarding the provision of some services in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31635/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Based on the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services, and the fact that the BreastCheck screening programme will significantly reduce the number of symptomatic breast cancer presentations, the Health Service Executive (HSE) determined that we require a total of eight specialist breast cancer centres nationally. It is important to clarify that this is not a downgrading of services but rather a consolidation of cancer care in designated centres which has the potential to improve survival by up to 20%.

In order to comply with the Standards, the HSE has directed seventeen hospitals to cease breast cancer services. Further staged reductions in the number of hospitals providing breast cancer services, including Sligo General, will occur over the next year in line with the development of quality assured capacity in the eight designated centres.

Funding of €7 million has been allocated in 2008 from the Programme across the eight centres for symptomatic breast disease services, to support additional staff, including Consultant, Radiography, Nursing and clerical posts. Funding has also been allocated for some necessary additional equipment.

The Director of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme is engaged in detailed planning to facilitate the transfer of services between locations. The Director will ensure sufficient capacity exists in designated centres prior to the transfer of services. 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 Sligo. Chemotherapy and support services will continue to be delivered locally.

In relation to the provision of services in Northern Ireland, I welcomed Minister McGimpsey's announcement last April, on the provision of a satellite radiotherapy centre (linked to Belfast City Hospital) to be located in Altnagelvin. It will provide the additional radiotherapy capacity needed to meet an anticipated increase in cancer in Northern Ireland and recognises the potential for cross border co-operation in the development of this resource. Officials from my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety are involved in ongoing discussions in this regard.

Cancer patients in the North West requiring radiation oncology treatment are referred to either St. Luke's Hospital Dublin or University College Hospital Galway. A Service Level Agreement is also in place for the referral of radiation oncology patients from Donegal to Belfast City Hospital.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the additional resources which are to be provided to University College Hospital Galway to specifically cater for cancer patients from Mayo who are forced to travel to facilities in Galway; when the additional resources and facilities will be provided; if this will be in advance of the downgrading of the services in Castlebar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31636/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Based on the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services, and the fact that the BreastCheck screening programme will significantly reduce the number of symptomatic breast cancer presentations, the Health Service Executive (HSE) determined that we require a total of eight specialist breast cancer centres nationally. It is important to clarify that this is not a downgrading of services but rather a consolidation of cancer care in designated centres which have the potential to improve survival by up to 20%.

In order to comply with the Standards, the HSE has directed seventeen hospitals to cease breast cancer services. Further staged reductions in the number of hospitals providing breast cancer services will occur over the next year in line with the development of quality assured capacity in the eight designated centres.

Funding of €7 million has been allocated in 2008 from the Programme across the eight centres for symptomatic breast disease services, to support additional staff, including Consultant, Radiography, Nursing and clerical posts. Funding has also been allocated for some necessary additional equipment.

The National Cancer Control Programme has advised that there will be dedicated facilities for the clinic serving Mayo breast patients in University College Hospital Galway. This will be achieved by making available new clinic space which has become available for the management of breast cases. Two beds are required to support this service with the majority of surgery being day or overnight stay cases.

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 Castlebar. Chemotherapy and support services will continue to be delivered locally.

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