Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, is losing breast cancer specialised services and patients are being referred to different hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23429/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), there are four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres. These centres were designated by the HSE following a recommendation from the Advisory Group set up under the NCCP. 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. As Deputy Hayes will be aware, it is within this framework that the progressive transfer of cancer diagnostic and surgical services from Tallaght and other non-designated hospitals to the designated centres is taking place. 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 general catchment area for Tallaght Hospital 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 that will be transferred have been identified and the designated centres have completed a capacity equipping plan that ensures they are able to receive additional referrals from GPs in the Tallaght catchment area. Only initial diagnosis and surgery are transferring from Tallaght. Medical oncology services will continue to be provided at Tallaght as part of a regional network of medical oncology for the Dublin-Mid Leinster area. The oncology day ward opened by me in June 2006 will continue to operate.