Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding St. Luke's cancer hospital, Rathgar, Dublin 6 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6391/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 386 together.

St. Luke's Hospital, which provides only radiation oncology services, was subsumed into the Health Service Executive under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 (No. 18 of 2010). The existing radiotherapy centre at St. Luke's, plus the new centres at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, have together become the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network.with some staff and resources now transferred from St. Luke's to the new centres. The first patients were seen at Beaumont on 28 March, while St. James's is due to begin seeing patients on 11 April.

The development of the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network increases capacity for radiation oncology patients by 50% in 2011 over what has previously been available in St. Luke's Hospital. Treatment will be available at all three sites and, using a central referral process, patients will be offered the next available treatment slot which will factor in the location of the patient and any specific clinical requirements.

Radiation oncology services will continue at St. Luke's until at least 2015, when further radiation oncology capacity will be available at Beaumont and St. James's. A firm commitment is given in legislation that the HSE must continue to use the St. Luke's site for the provision of health services. In addition, the legislation states that the HSE may not sell or dispose of St. Luke's or any land on the site, without the consent of the Minister.