What progress has been made in improving delivery of treatment in the oncology service

1240/5(5904)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 6th DECEMBER 2010

Question

Will the Minister inform members what progress has been made in improving delivery of treatment in the oncology service, and in particular –

1. In refurbishment and modernization of the facilities; and
2. In ensuring that the funding of the service has been protected from CSR reductions?

Will she further inform members what current waiting lists and times exist for oncology treatment both on and off-island?

Answer

Given the ongoing and increasing demand for Oncology services and advances in new drug and chemotherapy protocols, the service regularly reviews the treatment regimes given to individual patients, both locally and in the UK. Two additional chemotherapy nurses and a middle grade doctor were appointed in 2007 and 2010 respectively to provide added support for the service.

The present Oncology Unit was opened in 1995. Since that time the continuing rise in clinical activity has meant that the service has now outgrown its current footprint. Plans are in development to provide larger and more appropriate facilities for this service in 2011.

I am pleased to confirm that the Oncology Service has not been affected by the Comprehensive Service Review (CSR).

I can also confirm that currently no patients are held on a waiting list pending local treatment. Patients requiring specialist treatment are referred to appropriate tertiary centres in the UK and are managed within UK national guidelines for such treatments. These patients are fully supported by specialist liaison nurses who monitor their progress along their particular clinical pathway and ensure that they are followed up upon their return to the Island.