Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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798. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a specialist to deal with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5316/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this PQ relates to a service matter regarding the employment of a specialist it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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799. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to support a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5327/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the HSE's Palliative Care Services Three Year Development Framework (2017-2019) includes the development of a 16-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit, or hospice, which will provide support to patients from across the four counties in the Midlands. Following extensive public consultation, and in partnership with CHO 8 and the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, a site was identified in the grounds of the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore and initial drawings for the unit have been drafted.

The Midlands is fortunate to have a well-developed palliative care service in the community and, whereas the ultimate aim is to care for people appropriately at home for as long as possible, the provision of specialist palliative care inpatient beds will facilitate hospital avoidance and support families in end of life care for their loved ones. It is envisaged that the new inpatient unit, when established, will act as the hub for specialist palliative care services in the Midlands and will be able to provide additional support for residential /community services, including the region’s network of palliative care support beds.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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800. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a facility in a region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5328/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Radiation oncology services in Ireland are provided in line with a national plan. Radiation oncology is available in five public hospitals: St. James's Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital Rathgar (which three together form the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network), Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway. Radiation oncology services for public patients are also provided in two private facilities in Waterford and Limerick. Meanwhile, patients from the North West can receive radiation oncology treatment at the North West Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Derry.

The model of care for radiation oncology allows for the sufficient volume and concentration of activity and expertise to facilitate high quality radiation oncology treatments in line with best evidence and international best practice. Modern radiation oncology is increasingly complex. Delivery of such complex care requires several key components to ensure safe, high quality treatment. These include appropriate physical infrastructure and equipment, a highly trained multidisciplinary team including specialist doctors, nurses, radiation therapists, physicists and other health and social care professionals and a system of quality assurance that can ensure that radiation oncology services are safe, effective, equitable, efficient, timely and centred on the patients needs.

A new facility in Cork University Hospital was opened recently, and construction will commence shortly on a new facility in University Hospital Galway. Future expansion of the facility in Beaumont is also envisaged. In line with the National Plan for Radiation Oncology, it is not proposed to establish a centre for radiation oncology in the Midlands.

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT/Chemotherapy) is delivered in 26 hospitals across the country, including in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore. In the context of Covid-19 some patients who would normally receive their treatment in Tullamore are now being treated in the Hermitage Medical Clinic, Dublin.