Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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508. To ask the Minister for Health further to recent comments (details supplied), to provide details of the Strategic Infrastructure Programme to plan for the replacement and expansion at public radiation oncology services currently under development. [40967/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Successive national cancer strategies, together with the National Plan for Radiation Oncology and the clinical oversight of the National Cancer Control Programme, have underpinned and delivered significant investment in radiation oncology services, including new types of radiotherapy treatment and the opening of new state-of-the-art centres in Cork and Galway along with the ongoing phased expansion of the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network (SLRON).

To build on these improvements and taking account the clinical importance of this service and the growing patient population, there is a need to plan for the replacement of linear accelerators on a phased basis at all public radiation oncology centres. A key action for the Department and the HSE is the development and implementation of a Strategic Infrastructure Programme for linear accelerator replacement and, where appropriate, expansion at public radiation oncology facilities.

To develop this Programme, the Department is establishing a Working Group, including representatives from the Department of Health and the HSE. The Programme will be developed in line with sectoral policies and strategies including the National Cancer Strategy, the National Plan for Radiation Oncology and Health Infrastructure Investment policy (as set out in the Strategic Healthcare Investment Framework).

The Strategic Infrastructure Programme will examine current and future clinical and service needs and will provide a planned, coordinated approach to systematic replacement and, where appropriate, expansion of linear accelerator (LINAC) infrastructure and associated enabling works at publicly operated radiation oncology centres.

The Working Group will be chaired by Department officials and include representations from across HSE functions such as the HSE National Cancer Control Programme and HSE Capital & Estates. The Working Group may also invite additional expert input, including clinical, health planning and economic expertise, and may engage with other relevant stakeholders on a consultative basis, as required.

It is expected that the inaugural meeting of the group will take place in the coming weeks.