Unbalanced regional cancer care
Dear sir,
A leading cancer specialist has warned that Ireland has a two-tier cancer system, with poorer outcomes in the west and northwest of the country. Professor Michael Kerin, director of the Saolta Cancer Network, said Galway University Hospital (GUH) is outdated and has inadequate facilities for cancer patients. He further stated that the west and northwest is the most rural area of the country, and suffers from economic deprivation, a seminar on cancer care was told.
The meeting was organised by the Policy Forum for Ireland. The EU recognises this part of our country as a ''lagging region'' that needs much support in terms of tackling the lack of investment in capital infrastructure in health, transport, connectivity, housing, and job creation among others.
If a line was drawn across the country from Galway to Dublin, a cancer centre of excellence simply does not exist? Is this what balanced regional development looks like?
There are sick people travelling from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Galway on the cancer bus, enduring a 10 hour journey there and back, for their vital life-saving treatments, at a not fit for purpose and seriously overcrowded hospital.
If this happened anywhere else in the country there would be outrage. Where are our politicians?
Some years ago breast cancer services were removed from Sligo University Hospital and patients had to go to Galway.
Why not bring back breast, prostate and other cancer services to Sligo which is recognised as a growth centre in the National Development Plan?
This would relieve the pressure on Galway's outdated and creaking at the seams hospital, and also ensure that very sick people from Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Sligo would not have to endure long painful commutes, while feeling unwell. This two-tier system must be re-balanced and the west and northwest of the country put on an even footing with the rest of Ireland.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Towey Cloonacool Co Sligo.