Opposition criticises cancer plan delay

Opposition parties have reacted angrily to the news that plans for a network of radiotherapy services for cancer patients is to be delayed.

The plan to provide the network was announced by the Minister for Health Mary Harney in 2005, and it was envisaged then that the plan would be delivered by 2011.

However, leaked documentation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) in January revealed that it would take three years longer than expected to deliver on the plan if it was done via public private partnership (PPP).

Following this, Ms Harney said the HSE was examining alternative ways to speed up delivery of services.

But a report in today's Irish Timesreveals it could be 2015 before the project is completed.

Speaking today, Fine Gael health spokesperson Brian Hayes said the Minister for Health's cancer treatment strategy was flawed from the start.

"As we discovered when the story originally broke, the Minister failed to consult with the HSE before announcing this plan in July 2005,and this is evidence of a grave failure to plan," said Mr Hayes.

"Minister Harney must now come clean. She announced, with great fanfare, a detailed cancer plan which was not backed by the necessary planning and preparation, and as a result adequate treatment for cancer sufferers is unacceptably delayed.

The Labour Party's spokesperson on health, Liz McManus, said the delay was evidence of the Government's dependence on PPPs.

"The Government is wed to the notion of increasing private sector involvement in the delivery of health services. It's now clear that the over-reliance of public private partnerships has actually created more problems and has added to these delays," said Ms McManus.

"There are still ongoing delays for those needing vital treatment. There are serious concerns about the efficacy of testing, and we have still not seen the full rollout of breastcheck, nor a start being made on cervical cancer," she added.

Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described the delay as "a damning indictment of the Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and their Government colleagues".