Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1132. To ask the Minister for Health to outline what additional measures the HSE has put in place to minimise chemotherapy delays at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44441/24]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1135. To ask the Minister for Health what measures he has personally taken to address the staffing issues in the University Hospital Limerick Mid-Western Cancer Centre in respect of cancer nursing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44444/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1132 and 1135 together.

In Budget 2025, €23 million has been secured for the National Cancer Strategy, including access to new cancer medicines, expansion of cancer screening, funding for community cancer support centres, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. This will mean over €105 million has been invested into the Strategy since 2017.

Capital funding of over €140 million has been provided under the current National Cancer Strategy to deliver state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Galway and Cork, to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities for the benefit of patients, as well as investment in the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory.

Over the course of the current National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, 40.5 WTEs have been assigned by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) to cancer services in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) which includes 17 WTE nursing posts.

In 2021, a new 24-bed ward for haematology and oncology patients was opened which provides dedicated space for patients receiving medical oncology treatment, including chemotherapy.

UHL provides chemotherapy in its day ward. Treatment activity has increased 11% from 643 patients in 2022 to 719 patients in 2023. In the last 12 months, 801 patients have received SACT in UHL, with 90% seen within target time.

Proposals are being prepared by the National Cancer Control Programme and the HSE Midwest Region to increase day ward capacity to meet increased demand for chemotherapy services, and to refurbish the aseptic compounding unit which prepares chemotherapy treatments on-site. These projects will be supported as part of the national strategic approach to cancer.