Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a satellite radiotherapy centre will be established in the north west before 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40210/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a radiotherapy satellite centre will be established in the north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40211/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.

The Government decided in July 2005 that the best option for improving geographic access for patients in the North West to radiation oncology services is to (i) facilitate access to Belfast City Hospital (BCH) and (ii) progress consideration of a joint venture for the provision of oncology services in the medium term to patients in the North West from a satellite centre in the North West linked to BCH. 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 BCH.

In April this year, Minister Michael McGimpsey of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS), Northern Ireland announced the provision of a satellite 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 DHSS&PS continue to hold discussions in this regard. DHSS&PS expect that this facility will be operational by 2015.