Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
463. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he accepts the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report; his Department’s plans to implement the recommendations on adequate staffing levels to safeguard vital cancer services into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38687/24]
View answer469. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that due to current staffing levels, there are currently numerous cancer treatment machines closed across the country and new build treatment machines and scanners lying idle, whilst extensive waiting lists exist for cancer treatments with the Radiation Therapy Service, highly reliant on private outsourcing and extensive out of hours services; and to provide the steps being taken to address this scandal. [38703/24]
View answer474. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health his views on the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report; if he will commit to the full implementation of the recommendations on adequate staffing levels to safeguard vital cancer services into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38719/24]
View answer486. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he and his Department will accept the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report; if he will commit to the full implementation of the recommendations on adequate staffing levels to safeguard vital cancer services into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38787/24]
View answer488. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if he accepts the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report; if he will commit to full implementation of the recommendations on adequate staffing levels to safeguard cancer services into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38807/24]
View answer499. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will accept and fully implement the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report to ensure adequate staffing levels for radiation therapy services, safeguarding vital cancer treatment services; if he is aware that these recommendations have been endorsed by a committee (details supplied); if he agrees that outsourcing is a significant drain on the national health budget while state-of-the-art public machines in HSE facilities remain unstaffed; if he will commit to implementing the recommendations to address the crisis in radiation therapy staff retention and recruitment, and improve access to public radiation therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38875/24]
View answer508. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will accept the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report; if he will commit to full implementation of the recommendations on adequate staffing levels to safeguard vital cancer services into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38960/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 463, 469, 474, 486, 488, 499 and 508 together.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the incredibly important role of Radiation Therapists in the provision of cancer services in this country.
I am glad that the independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been finalised. This strategic review considered important issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning and recruitment and retention strategies.
This review has published 16 recommendations which aim to help and support the Radiation Therapy profession into the future. These recommendations are now being examined by my Department regarding implementation.
Since 2017, there has been additional investment of over €456m in cancer services, including €81m on cancer prevention, screening, and treatment; €316m on cancer medicines; and €59m on cancer research grants through the Health Research Board. Seven years into the ten-year National Cancer Strategy, 40 of the 52 recommendations are implemented and the remainder are being progressed.
Capital funding of over €140m has been used to provide 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, and as investment in the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
New development funding has enabled the recruitment of more than 670 staff to our national cancer services since 2017, including an additional 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. This means that our national cancer services have been strengthened, that more patients are receiving treatment, and that waiting times to access treatment are reduced.
New treatments are now available in Ireland for the first time, including tailored anti-cancer therapies, and new radiotherapy treatments. 10% of radiation therapy patients are now receiving new treatments such as SABR which offer more targeted treatment which can help reduce side-effects.
