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Donegal Action for Cancer Care “Equal Access for Equal Need” Meeting with Dr. Susan O’ Reilly Director National Cancer Control & Dr. Mary Hynes, Cancer Network Manager West on Tuesday 10th May 2011
1) Are cancer services at Letterkenny General Hospital secure? 2) What plans are in place to modify or improve cancer services at LGH? 3) There are budget inequalities for Donegal people attending LGH. Shortfalls in budget affect all services in the long term. Can you Dr. O’ Reilly within your role explain or find out for us why this is the case please? a) Why is LGH budget less than Sligo’s per Inpatient Discharges? b) Why are these inequalities allowed to continue? c) Why are patients availing of services at LGH lives worth less? (2011) IPD=€4907 at LGH, Sligo 3842 patients less, IDP=€ 6,254 (€1,347 more) (2010) IDP=€5198 at LGH, Sligo 5081 patients less, IDP= € 7110 (€1,912 more) (2009) IDP= €4961 at LGH, Sligo 4961 patients less, IDP =€ 6,645 (€1,684 more) 4) North West Breast Centre LGH
5) Theatre lists for Donegal patients at Galway Galway University Hospital is having bother treating it’s own patients. a) What will be done for Donegal patients attending LGH who are having difficulty getting their appointments, surgery or treatments in Galway at present? 6) Cross Border Funding for Acute Hospital Services. As part of this LGH was to get a 2nd full time Urologist. This post was to be advertised last summer and didn’t happen because of the recruitment embargo. LGH cannot afford to loose one consultant or 2 junior doctors. a) Has this now been resolved? b) Did LGH have to loose a consultant or two junior doctors in order to meet the restrictions under the RE? c) When will the post be advertised? 7) Prostate Services at LGH A considerable number of Donegal men travel to Galway every week to the rapid access clinic. a) What plans are in place to develop this service at LGH? 8) Proposed Radiotherapy at Altnagelvin We have serious concerns regarding this development. Among these concerns are
a) Medical protocols: What arrangements are in place for working relationships between:
b) How will the Multidisciplinary Team work? c) How will Cross Border posts work? How many Oncologists will be employed? Will patients have their consultations at LGH or will everything be at Altnagelvin? d) What structures are in place to ensure accountability? e) What access will there be for Donegal patients? What arrangement will there be for in patient beds? What arrangements will be in place for accommodation/ lodge? What arrangements will be in place for transport? f) Where will Breast Check patients needing Radiotherapy be treated? 9) Additional resources are required to match status of a satellite unit/ Centre of Excellence. What plans are in place to address this deficit? 10) Nuclear Medicine Are there any developments in LGH’s request for funding for an Isotopes Machine? 11) Breast Check-
12) NOWDOC Service A gap exists in this service in the morning with patients unable to access a GP. a) We are asking that the difficulties for cancer patients be recognised and that either extend the hours of the NOWDOC Service or fund GP’s to open earlier. 13) GP Charges to Medical Card Holders New announced charges have been introduced by some GP Practices to Medical Card patients for routine blood tests. We have concerns that this will have an impact on cancer patients. Is this practice going to be allowed to continue? Names of DACC delegates attending meeting
We in DACC would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. O’ Reilly & Dr. Hynes for taking time out from your busy schedule to meet with us today.
Go Raith Maith Agat! |
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care “Equal Access for Equal Need” Meeting with Mr. Tony O’ Brien, CEO Breast Check in Dublin on 29th April 2011
Contents
Aim of the meeting:
To discuss the successful roll out of BreastCheck in Donegal & raise some issues of concern. Questions: 1) What geographical areas are left for eligible women to be invited for screening? 2) Approx how many women does this amount too? 3) How many days per week does the unit at Letterkenny operate? 4) When will the unit be finished the first round? 5) Has there been a high % of take up of the first round in the Letterkenny & Buncrana areas? 6) Has there been many breast cancers detected?
7) Have there been many cancellations by women invited to attend? 8) Some women have only got a couple of days notice for their appointments- not min 7 days 9) There have been difficulties, as you are aware, for some women travelling to Galway for their BreastCheck assessment.
We in DACC would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mr O’ Brien CEO, BreastCheck, Also thanks to Eileen O’ Connor, PA to the CEO & Maeve Cusack, Screening Promotion Manager for ongoing support.
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care “Equal Access for Equal Need” Meeting with Mr Kevin Moran Consultant Surgeon/Urologist Letterkenny General Hospital on Wednesday 9th November 2011 at Letterkenny General Hospital. Mission Statement: “Equal Access for Equal Need” The primary aim of DACC is to ensure the people of Donegal have access to world-class cancer services whilst ensuring the retention and development of all cancer services at Letterkenny General Hospital. Aim of meeting: To congratulate Mr Moran & team on the excellent 20 years work regarding prostate cancer in Donegal at LGH & to provide DACC with an opportunity to be updated on where prostate services at Letterkenny General Hospital are currently at. DACC have been actively campaigning since 2009 for Letterkenny Hospital to become a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic. This has been included on questions and discussions at all meetings since then. Among these meetings have been:
Can the National Cancer Screening Service provide funding for an additional Lab Technician to allow for Prostate Biopsies to be carried out at LGH?
a) How many men are currently being seen/ treated at LGH? b) What plans are in place to develop this service at LGH?
a) What plans are in place to develop this service at LGH?
a) Has this now been resolved? b) Did LGH have to loose a consultant or two junior doctors in order to meet the restrictions under the RE? c) When will the post be advertised? |
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care “Equal Access for Equal Need” Meeting with Dr. David O’ Keefe, Clinical Director, Acute Services and Continuing Care, Galway/ Roscommon & General Manager for Galway University Hospitals at University Hospital Galway on 5th October 2011 Aim of the meeting: To raise awareness of some difficulties experienced by Donegal patients attending UHG and learn what DACC can do within our role, to help the access process. 1)Galway University Hospital is having difficulty treating its own patients. DACC clearly recognise that access for patients must be on a need’s base rather than convenience. However we ask that consideration should be given to the time it takes to get to Galway when allocating appointments. 2)What will be done for Donegal patients attending UHG who are having difficulty getting their appointments, surgery or treatments in Galway at present? 3)How many Donegal patients are awaiting appointments at UHG? For clinics? For theatre? What is the waiting time for these appointments? When patients attend for appointments they are not scheduled to meet their travel arrangements imposing additional overnight stay costs. Prostate Services at LGH 4)A considerable number of Donegal men travel to Galway every week to the rapid access clinic. a)How many Donegal men have been seen at the Rapid Access Clinic to date? 5) DACC would like to acknowledge the help & support of UHG ensuring patients that come down on Monday’s get on their way home early on Friday mornings. We in DACC would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. O’ Keefe for taking time out from your busy schedule to meet with us today. Go Raith Maith Agat |
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care “Equal Access for Equal Need” Meeting with Mr. Sean Murphy, General Manager, LGH & Mr John Hayes, Local Health Manager Donegal HSE Westat Letterkenny General Hospital on Tuesday 30th November 2010
Aim of meeting:
The Colposcopy Unit Congratulations on the official opening on 7th October. The New A& E a) What plans are in place for this to continue? b)) Will this delay impact on other services, Colorectal services, etc? Cross border Funding 9 million for acute hospital services. You had stated last July that biggest portion coming to LGH. a) Is there any update on this? b) What about the full time Urologist post? c) How will the recruitment requirements by the HSE be met Prostate Services at LGH a) How many men are currently being seen/ treated at LGH? b) What plans are in place to develop this service at LGH? Radiotherapy for Donegal patients referred to Belfast City Hospital. a) What is the current situation regarding this from LGH’s perspective? b) How much does it cost for a Donegal patient to have Radiotheraphy at Belfast City Hospital per dose? c) The number of patients from Donegal who have availed of this for each year since it began? d) The total amount paid by the HSE per calender year since the service began? e) How does the currency exchange rate affect this? North West Breast Centre LGH a) What impact is the funding shortfall having on the Breast Unit? b) Will these shortfalls impact on HIQA guidelines being met? c) Are patients having difficulty getting surgery at LGH or Galway? d) Are there any difficulties at the unit at present? Theatre lists at LGH. a) How many patients are unable to get their surgery at LGH due to funding shortfall? b) How many services are impacted on by theatre closures? Theatre lists for Donegal patients at Galway How many Donegal patients attending LGH are having difficulty getting their appointments, surgery or treatments in Galway at present? The Haematologist Post The present position is filled with a locum. a) Is this going to be jointly with Sligo? b) Are there any patients experiencing delays with their appointments at present? The Lab at LGH a) Are there plans to close or reduce the lab at LGH? b) Is it true that consideration is being given to a private operator collecting samples and then taking them to Sligo? Funding It has been acknowledged by Minister Harney to us that additional resources are required to match status of a satellite unit/ Centre of Excellence. a) Have there been any developments on this? b) What is the budget shortfall for the hospital at present? c) How will this years funding shortfall be addressed? d) How many wards are closured at present? e) How many patients will this be likely to affect? f) Will any service at LGH be lost as a result of budget shortfalls? Rectal Surgery It is hoped to strengthen the medical oncology service in Letterkenny. Rectal surgery is to be performed in 8 centres with a satellite in Letterkenny a) Has Mr Cause any concerns regarding how the service will be delivered? b) Will the current & future budget shortfall impact on the colorectal service? c) What other developments are planned to strengthen the medical oncology service at LGH? The National Treatment Purchase Fund Is the NTPF now being used to address budget shortfalls at LGH? Research & developments We are delighted with the current research that is happening both at the breast unit & oncology dept. Will the 40 medical students coming in Jan 20111 bring any additional recourses to the hospital? |
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Meeting with Mr Sean Murphy, General Manager, Letterkenny General Hospital & Mr Alan Moran, Regional Manager, HSE Western Area on Wednesday 29th July 09 Questions for meeting. Prof. Keane & LGH Great news!!! Colposcopy Service at LGH Is the Colposcopy Unit on schedule for the 21st August? What is the time frame for being named as a dedicated unit? Breast Check What arrangements are in place with Breast Check for the planned roll at LGH in October? Breast Unit Biopsy We were delighted to hear that the first biopsy took place with the new G3 machine. This took place on the week we went to see the Breast Check Unit in Galway. Again we ask why are developments like these at LGH not being highlighted? LGH Budget & current services
New A & E Is the new A& E still on schedule? Isotopes Machine At what stage is this project? Locum Haematologist Was the Haematologist post ever made permanent? Colorectal Surgeon Where is this in LGH plans? Radiotherapy Are LGH committed to working to ensure that Radiotherapy is provided at the hospital as opposed to Altnagelvin? Travel to Galway for patients We have been told that a new service has been introduced through LGH, yet when we made enquires no one appears to know anything about it. Can you update us on this please? €30million Cross Border funding package What exactly does this mean for LGH in service provision? Is there a danger that most of the funding benefits hospitals in Northern Ireland? Access by public patients to scans Is there a set timetable (certain hours) for when public patients can receive this service? Lab results Is there a problem with a backlog of results in the lab at present? Prescriptions We had raised a question previously regarding delays in the issuing of prescriptions. Has any progress been made on this? DACC support to LGH What support if any can DACC give to LGH and the excellent team that exist there regarding cancer care/ services? |
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care meeting with Mr Sean Murphy LGH & Mr Alan Moran HSE Western Area 29th July 09 at LGH.
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Questions for meeting. Colposcopy Service at LGH Is the Colposcopy Unit on schedule for the 21st August? What is the time frame for being named as a dedicated unit? Breast Check What arrangements are in place with Breast Check for the planned roll at LGH in October? LGH Budget & current services
New A & E Is the new A& E still on schedule? Isotopes Machine At what stage is this project at? Locum Haematologist Was Dr Hana Frankova Haematologist post ever made permanent? Colorectal Surgeon Where is this in LGH plans? Travel to Galway for patients We have been told that a new service has been introduced through LGH, yet when we made enquires no one appears to know anything about it. Can you update us on this please? €30million Cross Border funding package What exactly does this mean for LGH in service provision? Is there a danger that most of the funding benefits hospitals in Northern Ireland? Access by public patients to scans Is there a set timetable (certain hours) for when public patients can receive this service? Prescriptions We had raised a question previously regarding delays in the issuing of prescriptions. Has any progress been made on this? DACC support to LGH What support if any can DACC give to LGH and the excellent team that exist there regarding cancer care/ services?
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Questions for Mr Tony O’ Brien CEO National Cancer Screening Service at meeting with DACC in Dublin on Monday 24h November 08.
When will Breast Check be rolled out in Donegal? Date/ Time frame. What geographical area will this bus cover? Is the bus ordered? Date for delivery. Are the Mammography Machines bought? Where are they? Have any problems been reported with mobile units in the country? If so what are they? Are the units self powered? Is there any communication problems’ taking it is a mobile unit? What is the process for the reading of scans from the mobile unit? Has the staffs been sourced? Drivers, Mammography’s, Radiologists. Where are they resident? What follow on procedure is in place to cover:
Is there a standby mobile unit? What is the process/ procedure for registration when available? How many ladies will be contacted? Current advertisement- it is misleading. We feel very strongly regarding this. Colposcopy services at Letterkenny General Hospital- what is the current situation? Donegal Action for Cancer Care would like to thank Mr. O’ Brien for taking the time to meet with us today. We would also like to thank Ms. Mary Jackson, The Department of Health & Children for her time and contribution. We also wish to acknowledge the help & support of Eileen O Connor PA to the CEO.
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Questions for Mr Enda Kenny, The Party Leader, Fine Gael at meeting with DACC in Letterkenny Friday 14h November 08.
1) If in power would your party find the money to fund the Cervical Vaccine Programme? Where would you get the money from? 2) What difference can you make to Health Care? 3) If you were in power what decisions of Minister Harney’s would you reverse? 4) What is your future plans for the provision of Radiotherapy Services for the people of Donegal? 5) What priority is given to Donegal regarding Cancer Service Provision through the North/ South Ministerial Council? 6) Breast Check was originally promised for the end of 2007 for Donegal is now with no fixed date. Can you through your good offices get an exact date when the service will be brought to Donegal? 7) At our meeting with you on 6th October 06 and our meeting with Dr Liam Twomey on 24th April 06, you both clearly stated that the voice of DACC would be included in “round table” talks regarding cancer service provision in the North West. We raised this at our meeting with in May 07. We have not had any confirmation or an invitation to these “round table” talks. DACC appreciates the time given by Mr Enda Kenny, to listen to our concerns, not withstanding his busy schedule. We look forward to bringing Mr Kenny’s answers back to cancer sufferers and carers in Donegal. We wish to acknowledge the ongoing support of Mr Joe Mc Hugh TD and Mr Dinny Mc Ginley TD
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DACC questions for meeting with Mr. Alan Moran, HSE West & Mr Sean Murphy Hospital Manager LGH on Friday 14th March 2008 at 2pm in LGH. Also responses. At present DACC’s position is that working in a respectful way, observing procedures and process is getting us no where. CAWT Feasibility Study We are told by you on 15th Nov. 07 that the feasibility study was “just getting underway” would now appear to be at an advanced stage
Mr Moran & Mr Murphy clearly stated that to there knowledge no feasibility study was being undertaken at present. They were adamant that it was not happening. When asked about the population figures he had given last Oct/ Nov he said that was all that he had been asked for. Mr Moran informed those present that a meeting between the North & South Health Boards was to take place on the 4th April in Belfast and he would be attending. He said that he would find out exactly what was happening then. We asked for permission to phone him on the 5th and he said to ring him on the evening of the 4th. Colorectal Surgeon
Mr Moran stated that Prof Keane had met with him and the hospital managers and that Prof Keane had very clear ideas about this. At present they were unsure what was going to happen. Mr Moran talked about the expertise regarding Rectal Surgery and how this would be in centres of excellence. When asked what would happen when Mr Ryan retired he said that he was unsure as surgeons now qualify with a speciality. Letterkenny General Hospital We asked the question what Letterkenny General Hospital is doing for itself and requested copies of all proposals/ submissions it has made in the last 5 years- what do we get an A4 page. This is what we got to take to Prof. Keane.
This did not mean that they could not produce loads of paper work on plans/ submissions etc. When it was put to both of them by DACC that we had concerns that there was a perception in the public that radiation services would be at Altnagelvin, Mr Moran was very clear that he was not worried about Alnagelvin as they don’t always get it right either. There had been difficulties working with Altnagelvin before. Mr Moran stated that he felt that it would be a political decision where it went in the North West. When it was put to both men that Dermott Hughes and Micheal O’ Reilly were doing a promotional job for Alnagelvin and that they were at meetings in Donegal where the people from Donegal namely women were being told clearly why it should be Alangelivin Mr Murphy stated that he had been at one of those meetings in Donegal Town and he didn’t feel it was like that. Mr Moran was then asked what had he felt when he went to the one meeting and he agreed that yes it was as being stated by DACC. Mr Moran again stated that he felt it would be a political decision. DACC again expressed their concerns and the need for LGH to start working with them on the proposal for LGH . Mr Moran stated very clearly that Prof Keane had nothing to do with LGH, he would be there for two years and that LGH was not his concern Isotopes Machine When we met with you on the 22nd June 07 we asked about the Isotopes Machine , we were told that this was planned to be in place within 12 months and the team had been set up.
Breast Surgeon Our new Breast Surgeon is coming in July.
Mr Murphy and Mr Moran stated that they were trying top get as much ready for him coming in July as possible. Health Forum
Locum Haematologist
Euro Car Parks
What happens is that the money is used to get things / work done that they would not get funding for eg. Lighting, Drainage, panic buttons, extending the car park. LGH gets costings for the work they need doing and Euro Car Parks organise it and pay for it. €300 Million to be returned
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DACC Press release Feb. 2008 If you think you won’t get cancer, you probaly think you don’t need to read this! Are you aware that when our Government talk about radiation for the North West they are talking about Letterkenny or Altnagelvin Hospitals? Have you thought about how this will affect our Cancer Patients in Donegal, who tomorrow could be you? DACC urgently ask that the people of Donegal make sure that our politicans hear the 4 very important words for cancer care in Donegal at present: Letterkenny General Hospital - Radiation, Radiation- Letterkenny General Hospital. Please, Please, start shouting it from the rooftops! Write letters to Minister Harney & An Taosieach, Bertie Ahern, whatever it takes,make sure you do your bit. Can you afford not to? Why won’t our Irish Government invest our money in Letterkenny General Hospital for radiation services when they are considering spending it elsewhere? We never said they could, did YOU? They are making decisions for us without consulting with the people it affects AGAIN! Please scroll down for our list of questions DACC ask who are making the decisions for our cancer patients in light of us now having Prof. John Crowne’s statement ( Sun 27th Jan 08) regarding the need for a cancer centre in the North West. DACC are inclined to agree with Prof Crowne regarding how decisions are being made. Prof Crowne and Prof Niall O’ Higgins, (Prof O’ Higgins 21st Dec 07) Cancer Specialists, asking questions on how decisions are being made does nothing to reassure DACC that the health & wellbeing of our cancer patients is top of our Governments agenda. DACC are asking the following questions and we recommend that you the people of Donegal should ask the same ones of our Government, politicans and our Health Service in the context of developing radiation services in the North West- Letterkenny or Alnagelvin. Why can’t Cross Border go two ways into Donegal instead of only being a one way process out of Donegal? What is critical mass and why is it a one way process? We are more than happy to welcome our friends/ neighbours in the 6 Counties to Donegal. Where are all the people who called for radiation at Letterkenny General Hospital? Indeed the people who’s call DACC was established in response to! What happened to the fears that cancer services at Letterkenny General would be downgraded if we didn’t get radiation? Are DACC the only people who want radiation at our own General Hospital? What about our new Breast Surgeon, will he stay if we leave ourselves where cancer services could be downgraded? What will this do for staff morale? Why did 15,000 people stand in the rain and wind in May 06 in the Town Park in Letterkenny? Why are our Government so reluctant to build on the “Excellent Services” they tell us that THEY put in Letterkenny General Hospital? Do they now think that these “Excellent Services” aren’t worth building/investing on/in? When will it be Donegal’s, a border county affected by 30 years of the troubles in the 6 counties, turn to have an investment by the Irish Government in proportion to the millions they have invested in the 6 counties? Be clear, paramount to DACC is Best Care for cancer patients but we believe that care can be best provided with radiation at Letterkenny General Hospital, again building on the Excellent Services we already have there. 1. Are you aware that a meeting between Mary Harney and Mr McGimpsey will decide where radiation oncology will be located and what are the implications for you in Donegal? 2. Donegal cancer patients fear that cancer services at LGH will be downgraded or lost if radiation is located elsewhere. We discussed some possible headings, eg. “At the stroke of a pen you could lose cancer services at LGH”; “If you think you won’t get cancer – don’t read this”. It was decided to finish this at the next meeting. Meeting ended 10pm. At the stroke of a pen you could lose cancer services at Letterkenny General Hospital!
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care “Equal Access for Equal Need” Questions for Mr Sean Murphy, General Manager, Letterkenny General Hospital at meeting with him on the 5th Feb.08 at LGH.
Any questions that you have been unable to answer today we request an urgent written response to as we are meeting with Prof. Tom Keane in Dublin on this Thursday 7th Feb. at 2pm. It is important to remember that we are doing this not only for ourselves but very clearly for Letterkenny General Hospital. At the moment we feel that we do not have that support . Written responses to questions that you were unable to answer today, are requested as a matter of extreme urgency by email or we will call to the hospital tomorrow to collect.
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DACC Questions to Minister Mary Harney in Dail Eireann on 13th November 07 for written response as a matter of urgency.
No 1 Breast Surgeon:
(d) Please clarify what OUTREACH means.
No 2: What services will the new Breast Surgeon provide to Letterkenny General Hospital? No 3: Breast Check: (a) Exact date when the service will be available in Donegal? (b) How often will the service be available in Donegal? No 4: Answers to questions given to An Taoisaech at meeting in Letterkenny General Hospital on the 29th March 07 No 5: At what stage in the recruitment process is the Colorectal Surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital?
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DACC Questions to the 6 Donegal TD’s in Dail Eireann on 24th Oct 07. No 1 Breast Surgeon: (a) : Confirmation in writing confirming the the start date of the new Breast Surgeon and will he/she be based/located in Letterkenny General Hospital and not in Galway and travel to Letterkenny on an outreach basis.
(b) Please clarify what OUTREACH means. (This is a major fear at the moment as the Breast Surgeon will be taking up their post one year after being recruited at a time when Minister Mary Harney will be conducting a review of cancer services in January 08. With Letterkenny now named as an outreach this urgently needs to be clarified). No 2: What services will the new Breast Surgeon provide to Letterkenny General Hospital? No 3: Breast Check: (a) Exact date when the service will be available in Donegal? (b) How often will the service be available in Donegal? No4: Long overdue meeting with Minister Mary Harney be sought and date confirmed asap. (This meeting had been promised and offered by Minister Harney in Letterkenny in May 06. Minister Harney had promised the meeting for Oct 6 .This did not happen. When she came to Donegal in April an urgent meeting was requested. At that time she said she could not meet.) No5: Answers to questions given to An Taoisaech at meeting in Letterkenny General Hospital on the 29th March 07.(The Taoiseach acknowledged the work of DACC at that time and undertook to come back with answers to our questions) No6: At what stage in the recruitment process is the Colorectal Surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital?
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Donegal Action for Cancer Care Rally Strategy Sub Committee Questions as agreed by all at the Sub Committee meeting on Mon 10th July 06. These questions are to be asked to the doctor’s at the County Committee meeting on Thursday 13th July 06. (1) What was in proposal that they put forward to Galway
(2) What was Galway’s response to this?
(3) How long will it take to finalise?
(4) When are they going to stop phasing out?
(5) When is Letterkenny getting it’s Radiation Centre?
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Statement by Tánaiste on Cancer Services in Donegal
Speaking in Donegal today, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney TD said " everyone in this country, regardless of where they live, should have access to the best possible health services". "This is especially so for cancer services. The most important thing for patients is getting the best treatment. Outcomes for patients is what drives our policy and investment in cancer care. I am determined that everyone diagnosed with cancer will get top quality treatment, as near to their home as possible." "The best practice in cancer care, both in this country and abroad, is very clear in setting out how to organise cancer services for best outcomes." "To keep up to date and to maintain the necessary skills, doctors and other professionals must treat a minimum number of new cancer cases each year. Staff must work in teams comprising specialists from many disciplines -surgeons, physicians, radiologists, pathologists, nurses and therapists." "For breast cancer services, our national policy says that a hospital team will serve a population of approximately 300,000 people. In a population of this size each year between 100 and 150 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed." "If the number of new cases is less than 100 in the catchment area of a hospital, then that hospital must work with other hospitals as part of a network. The doctors and other professionals in the hospitals will then come together and work as a team, with clear clinical leadership in relation to care standards and overall management." "Most people will attend their local hospital for treatment, and may attend the lead hospital for assessment and if they have more complicated care needs." "Hospitals and community based professionals, like GPs, pharmacists and nurses must also work closely with the hospital team to ensure good follow up care." "In the last year, I have spoken to representatives of all of those who are interested in cancer services in Donegal. These include the TDs of the area, doctors, therapists, managers, academics, and advocacy groups." "We certainly agree that cancer patients in Donegal should benefit from top quality cancer care as much as patients in any other part of the country. We are still discussing how to organise services to achieve that. For example, there is the issue about which hospital or hospitals Letterkenny will be working with so as to deliver the best service to Donegal patients." "I believe the solution is to be open and imaginative about the available options in seeking the best cancer care services. For instance, I believe that co-operation with our colleagues in Northern Ireland offers great prospects, with patients and services on both sides of the border gaining. "The way forward is for us to work together in both jurisdictions to plan services and infrastructure to meet the needs of the overall population. This is especially relevant for the North West of the island of Ireland. "I have urged HSE management to complete discussions in relation to the future organisation of breast care services for the people of Donegal by the end of June. "The commencement of the Breastcheck screening programme in the western region next year will make a real difference to the health of women in Donegal. "Since 1997, more than €47 million has been allocated to the North Western Area of the Health Service Executive for the development of cancer services. Today I had the pleasure of opening the recently completed 11 bed oncology ward at Letterkenny General Hospital and I visited the Radiology Department, with its brand new MRI scanner. "In the coming years, almost €50 million will be invested in health facilities in Donegal, with almost €28 million being spent on additional beds and a new A&E department at the Hospital. "This Government has quadrupled the budget of Letterkenny General Hospital since 1997, enabling the appointment of more than 550 additional staff. This is a clear expression of our confidence in the health services in Donegal and we will spend more to make the services even better in the coming years."
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| [Donegal Action for Cancer Care] [About DACC] [Overview of DACC] [Overview of Some of Ongoing Work] [Some more letters] [Overview of some questions] [Financial support for cancer patients] [Cancer Related Sites] [Letterkenny General Hospital] [Annual Report 09] [Just for you!] |