Cancer strategy favours centralisation

RADICAL plans to centralise hospital cancer services are expected to be firmed up when Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney receives the Government's new cancer strategy next month.

It is understood that the strategy retains a controversial proposal made in an earlier draft for radical reforms of hospital cancer care, including greater centralisation of services.

"Generally I would be supportive of what is being suggested. I do not think there will be issues there," said Minister Harney, who was guest speaker at the Irish Health Foundation's annual fundraising luncheon in Dublin yesterday.