Cancer care radiotherapy machines
Deputy Doherty warned of an immediate crisis in cancer care, saying most radiotherapy machines need replacement and breakdowns are harming patients. The Tánaiste said the Government is investing heavily in cancer services and radiotherapy centres.
I too want to be associated with the words about Brigid McGlynn and thank her for her many years of service to this House and to all who served here.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are presiding over a serious immediate crisis in cancer care. Of the 23 radiotherapy machines in our health system, 80% require immediate replacement. There is no structure for planned replacement in place. These are life-saving machines that are breaking down frequently. They need constant maintenance and new parts. The health committee heard this week oncology experts outlining the impacts of the breakdowns on cancer patients. They talked about missed treatments, delayed treatments, longer treatments, delays that reduce the chance of survival for people. Imagine what that means to somebody when they hear that, when they are fighting for their life. Imagine what that means to the family of that cancer patient. How in God's name has the Government allowed this situation to develop? How has it allowed vital radiotherapy machines to get so old that they break down so often? Cancer experts have called for an urgent replacement programme. Is the Government listening and will it act? Why has it been allowed to get to this crisis point?
Comment on this
We are listening, we are acting. It is an important and serious issue. We have made a lot of progress in relation to improvement to our cancer services over a sustained period. Under the current national cancer strategy, we have already allocated €105 million to support our cancer services and an additional €120 million in direct investment in radiation oncology centres in Cork and Galway to address the radiotherapy equipment needs. Funding has been allocated in this year's capital plan to progress a linear accelerator replacement programme under way at St. Luke's radiation oncology network in Dublin as well and I expect progress on that very shortly.
My understanding is that the Department of Health and the HSE are developing a strategic infrastructure programme to plan for replacement and expansion at public radiation oncology services.