Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision and retention of cancer services in the north west, particularly at Sligo General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the existing position there. [43331/08]

Mary 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 twenty one 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 coming months in line with the development of quality assured capacity in the eight designated centres.

The National Cancer Control Programmes is this week beginning formal discussions with Sligo General Hospital to plan for transfer of symptomatic services from the hospital to University Hospital Galway (UHG) in 2009. The Director of the Programme will ensure sufficient capacity exists in UHG prior to the transfer of services from Sligo. Funding of €7 million has also 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 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. Chemotherapy and support services will continue to be delivered at Sligo.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure a final appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [43332/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.