Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 64: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patients in the west had their planned chemotherapy cancelled in recent weeks because of a shortage of beds in University College Hospital Galway; if she has given any directives to the Health Service Executive to ensure the full implementation of policy on cancer treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41879/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The in-patient oncology unit at University Hospital Galway is comprised of 45 in-patient beds. Patients are triaged and assessed weekly and all admissions are based on clinical need in consultation with the treating clinicians. Early last week, the increased demand for beds was such that eleven patients' admissions to these in-patient beds were deferred. These patients have now been facilitated. The majority of chemotherapy is delivered on a day-case basis and day-case chemotherapy patients were not affected.

Medical oncology (chemotherapy) is also available at Letterkenny General, Sligo General, Mayo General and Portiuncula Hospitals to enable patients to have treatment delivered locally. The appointment of an additional consultant medical oncologist at Letterkeny General is being progressed by the National Cancer Control Programme, as is a joint appointment between Galway and Sligo which will further enhance medical oncology at Sligo.

The National Cancer Control Programme was established in 2007 to oversee the implementation of the 2006 National Cancer Control Strategy. Since then, considerable progress has been made in the reorganisation of cancer services in line with the Strategy.