Written answers

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Services

6:00 am

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concerns being expressed that the transfer of cancer services from Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24 will leave other hospitals overwhelmed; his views on the need to ensure that proper resources are provided to deal with the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3904/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Health Service Executive's National Cancer Control Programme successfully completed the transfer of all surgical and initial diagnostic breast cancer services from 33 hospitals to the eight designated cancer centres by the end of last year (2009). This was achieved in a seamless manner that was only possible through the significant planning and preparatory efforts of all the hospitals, medical, nursing and administrative personnel, working closely with the NCCP.

The transfers occurred in a phased manner and the NCCP consistently stated that no transfer would take place until it was satisfied that the necessary resources were in place to deliver a quality assured service to all patients.

This phased approach ensured that the NCCP satisfied itself that each transfer was carried out in a planned, coherent manner. In relation to the transfer of initial diagnostic and surgical services from Tallaght Hospital, the NCCP engaged in a comprehensive and detailed manner with Tallaght, St James's and St Vincent's Hospitals in advance of the transfer last year. That engagement explored and agreed the necessary resources that would be required for the two relevant designated cancer centres at St James's and St Vincent's. The NCCP was in a position to provide significant extra resources through the provision of funding, medical, nursing and support service appointments and the transfer of appropriate resources from Tallaght.

The NCCP was satisfied in advance that the appropriate services were in place and remains satisfied that both St Vincent's and St James's are providing quality assured services to all their patients.

The most recent statistics available regarding patient access demonstrate that both hospitals are exceeding independently established standards. The HIQA standards require all eight designated centres to see 95% of urgent patients within two weeks and to see 95% of non urgent patients within twelve weeks.

The most recent data available demonstrates that in relation to urgent cases, both St. Vincent's and St. James's Hospitals are now seeing 100% of patients within two weeks. In relation to non urgent, routine cases, St Vincent's is now seeing 100% of non urgent cases within twelve weeks and St James's is also exceeding the target as it is currently seeing 96% of patients within twelve weeks.

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