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Prof praises Letterkenny cancer
services
16.11.09
LETTERKENNY is a key
satellite component of the major cancer treatment
centre in Galway, Deputy Niall Blaney has been
informed. Deputy Blaney said he had been given
assurances about Letterkenny's role in the National
Cancer Control Programme when he questioned its
interim director Professor Tom Keane at a recent
meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee.
Deputy Blaney said the cancer programme chief highly
praised the services that exist at Letterkenny
General Hospital.
"(Prof Keane) said that the two surgeons in
Lettekenny are excellent and that they are supported
by a wonderful team,” said Deputy Blaney. |
“He pointed to the work
being done by the oncology nurse in Letterkenny in
the administration of chemotherapy. He said she is a
model of advanced practice nurse in oncology and the
work she is doing represents the future of how
chemotherapy will be delivered in this country.
"Professor Keane also assured me |
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that the satellite
service in Letterkenny is a key component of the
Galway Satellite link.”
There is currently a radiotherapy service for
Donegal patients at Belfast City Hospital. Professor
Keane told the Donegal North East T.D., that fewer
Donegal patients than there was capacity for,
attended Belfast Hospital last year. He said he
believed there was a reluctance to refer patients
there because there was a belief that the Belfast
service, in some way, threatened the planned
development of a radiotherapy facility in Derry.
“This is simply not true. It is still the intention
to develop a radiotherapy centre for the North West
region in Altnagevlin Hospital in Derry," said
Deputy Blaney.
"Professor Keane reassured me that Health Minister
Mary Harney was in contact with her counterpart in
the North and there is agreement in principal that
the Government will support the development of such
a centre which would provide cross-border services
for people in County Donegal. The Northern Ireland
Health Authority is developing the business case and
there is ongoing dialogue at Government level.
“However, the service at Belfast City Hospital is
being funded in the meantime. It is a good service
and it would be more convenient for Donegal people
who need radiotherapy treatment.
“Fewer patients attended at Belfast that could have
last year but that figure is improving this year and
I want to strongly encourage the referral of Donegal
patients to Belfast where possible," added Deputy
Blaney. |
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