Written answers

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Department of Health and Children

Cancer Screening Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patients involved in the breast cancer scare at Portlaoise Hospital who were subsequently referred to Tallaght Hospital for treatment, have been told that services in Tallaght Hospital are to be withdrawn and that no alternative is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5697/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the National Cancer Control Programme, there are four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres, into which services are being transferred progressively. Symptomatic breast disease services are the first to be transferred to the eight centres.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has designated St. James's Hospital and St. Vincent's University Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster region. 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.

In relation to Tallaght Hospital, the general catchment area incorporates both St Vincent's University Hospital and St James's Hospital, and the transfer of services from Tallaght will take place in a coordinated way to these two designated centres. The resources to be transferred from Tallaght and the incorporation of these resources into the specialist cancer services at the receiving hospitals will take place in accordance with patient need and choice and in line with where GPs will refer to in the future.

With regard to patients currently receiving their care at the Symptomatic Breast Care Centre in Tallaght Hospital, the clinical team working with these patients in Tallaght Hospital will continue to work with them in the designated cancer centre to which the patient transfers.

Treatment services for cancer patients, including medical oncology, and follow-up clinical and review appointments, will continue to be offered as close as possible to the patient's home. Therefore, hospitals such as Tallaght will continue to provide this function, in co-operation with the designated cancer centres, as part of a network of care in the region.

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