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DONEGAL Action for
Cancer Care have welcomed Health Minister Mary
Harney's designation of Letterkenny General Hospital
as a "Centre of Excellence". The group recently met
Ms Harney at her offices in Hawkins House, Dublin,
and described the meeting as "positive". They also
welcomed the appointment of a new consultant to the
breast care team in the new year.
DACC said Ms Harney assured the group that cancer
services at Letterkenny General Hospital are secure
"as long as the existing high quality cancer
services are maintained".
DACC chairperson Betty Holmes said the Health
Minister recognised and acknowledged the need for a
second breast surgeon at Letterkenny General
Hospital. Ms Holmes said Letterkenny's breast care
team would get the additional support of a new
breast consultant from January 2010.
"We discussed Letterkenny General Hospital as a
Centre of Excellence and the additional resources
commensurate with this status with Minister Harney,"
said Ms Holmes.
"The Minister agreed with this and acknowledged the
level of cancer expertise existing at Letterkenny
Hospital. DACC thank Minister Harney for recognising
Donegal’s unique geographical location in
designating Letterkenny General Hospital as a Centre
of Excellence and establishing it as a satellite
link to Galway University Hospital," added Ms
Holmes.
Also on the group's agenda for the meeting was the
roll-out of the cervical vaccine. They were assured
that work was ongoing towards the roll-out of the
cervical vaccine in the future.
Ms Holmes said Ms Harney also agreed with them about
the importance of screening for colorectal cancer
which kills 700 people each year.
Ms Harney also agreed to explore the provision of
prostate screening biopsies at Letterkenny, said the
DACC chairperson. "DACC raised the issue of budget
cuts for 2010. Minister Harney was very clear that
there would be cuts for all hospitals including
Letterkenny," she added. |
