Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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849. To ask the Minister for Health the protocols and access policy in place to ensure that oncology patients at Mayo General Hospital can access appropriate treatment by a specialist oncology team in a timely manner at University Hospital Galway, and are not at a disadvantage because of their geography compared with Galway patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22242/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Referral guidelines and standardised referral forms have been developed by the HSE-National Cancer Control Programme and these are used for referral to breast, lung and prostate rapid access clinics throughout the country, including Galway University Hospital. The guidelines were draw up in association with the Irish College of General Practitioners.

Access to designated cancer centres is based on clinical need. Diagnostic and cancer staging investigations, day care chemotherapy and follow-up care are delivered as close as possible to the patient’s home.