Vol. 425 No. 7
441 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the condition of the equipment for cancer treatment in St. Lukes Hospital, Dublin and to the fact that regular breakdowns of this equipment is causing delays, puts life at risk; the steps, if any, he will take to bring about an improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department is at present considering the long term equipment needs of the hospital in the context of the available resources and having regard to the many other competing demands countrywide.
The Deputy will be pleased to learn that the hospital has, through the introduction of more efficient work practices, considerably improved the waiting times for radiotherapy and these are now within accepted international norms. I am assured that urgent cases are always treated on a priority basis.
