IrishMedicalNews

Cancer patients seen within timeframe

Written by Paul Mulholland Monday, 08 February 2010 12:28

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Health Minister Mary Harney has denied that designated cancer centres in Dublin are being overwhelmed as a result of the transfer of cancer services from Tallaght Hospital.

The most recent data available demonstrates that in relation to urgent cases, both St Vincent’s University and St James’s Hospitals, Dublin, are now seeing 100 per cent of patients within two weeks, according to the Minister.

In relation to non-urgent, routine cases, St Vincent’s is now seeing 100 per cent of non-urgent cases within 12 weeks and St James’s is currently seeing 96 per cent of these patients within 12 weeks.

The performance of the hospitals exceeds HIQA standards which require all eight designated centres to see 95 per cent of urgent patients within two weeks and to see 95 per cent of non-urgent patients within 12 weeks.

In a written response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil Deputy Charlie O’Connor, the Minister stated that both Hospitals had the required resources to cope with the extra demand.

“The NCCP was in a position to provide significant extra resources through the provision of funding, medical, nursing, and support service appointments and the transfer of appropriate resources from Tallaght,” the Minister said.

“The NCCP was satisfied in advance that the appropriate services were in place and remains satisfied that both St Vincent’s and St James’s are providing quality assured services to all their patients.”