Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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597. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the decision to transfer oncology day services including all ancillary services from University Hospital Kerry to the Bons Secours Hospital, Tralee; the projected timeline of the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47686/21]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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598. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the projected costs related to the transfer of oncology day services including all ancillary services from University Hospital Kerry to the Bons Secours Hospital, Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47687/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 597 and 598 together.

The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme, in conjunction with University Hospital Kerry (UHK) have advised that UHK, as part of the South-South West Hospital Group (SSWHG), has provided both Oncology day-care and Outpatient Department (OPD) clinics on the hospital campus, with visiting Consultant Oncologists and on-site nursing and administrative staff, for many years. The service has grown over the years in line with the national oncology services.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Oncology day ward services were delivered on half a ward on the third floor of the main hospital building. Following a risk assessment with the onset of the pandemic, the day ward service was temporarily re-housed in the Palliative Care day ward. This was never envisaged to be a long-term solution and UHK had linked with HSE Estates to plan for a dedicated Oncology Development on-site, incorporating both Oncology day services and OPD. This process is at planning stage and UHK has also collaborated with the local ‘Comfort for Chemo Kerry’ charity organisation seeking their support and input.

It is accepted that approval, planning and construction/fitting out of a dedicated unit on the UHK campus will take some time, and it is also acknowledged that the Palliative Care Day Ward service requires access to their unit again. In these circumstances, UHK has linked with the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee (BSHT), to provide temporary accommodation. Plans are now at an advanced stage to move the day ward service to a unit on the BSHT campus when it is refurbished. The service will continue to be fully staffed by HSE/UHK personnel at the new location. OPD services will remain at UHK. Both the National Cancer Control Programme and SSWHG are fully supportive of this plan.