Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health the timetable for the rollout of upgraded colonoscopy facilities to specifically cater for the national colorectal cancer screening programme to each hospital involved; the projected cost for each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30725/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS), part of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme, is responsible for the development and implementation of Ireland's first national population-based colorectal cancer screening programme. The programme is planned to be available to men and women aged 60-69 from July 2012.

The 15 colonoscopy units, selected as candidate screening colonoscopy units for the programme, must meet accreditation requirements, as determined by the NCSS Quality Assurance Committee, during the course of 2011 and 2012 to achieve confirmed status as screening colonoscopy units.

The HSE through the NCSS commissioned baseline assessment visits in those units in partnership with the representative professional bodies, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Joint Advisory Group on Gastroenterology (JAG) in the UK to examine the likelihood of each unit achieving independent accreditation within 12-18 months and readiness to incorporate screening colonoscopies into their current service.

In response to the baseline assessment visits, each hospital has developed and implemented an action plan designed to improve the quality of service provided and is working towards achieving independent JAG accreditation. Actions taken by hospitals include changes to management and leadership in endoscopy units, improved referral and pooling practices, better waiting list management and improved decontamination processes.

Investment costs and timescales for each hospital in preparation for the screening programme can be found in the 'National Progress Report on Endoscopy Services' which is available on the NCSS website at www.cancerscreening.ie.