No protest from campaign group

THE SAVE Our Cancer ServicesNW campaign decided against holding a protest during Minister Reilly’s visit to the hospital.

A spokesperson said this due to the very bad weather and also because the timing of the visit could not be confirmed in advance.

Jim O’Sullivan, pictured, for the group, said the focus at present was on the restoration of the follow-up mammography service.

“The people of the region have now accepted that this government has no intentions of returning the cancer services to Sligo as promised prior to the last General Election.

“We note that the Minister has confirmed that the training of Radiographers necessary to return this service is on schedule and in line with the commitment given last year.

“If that pledge is honoured we can expect to have the followup mammography service back in Sligo within the next six to nine months,” he said.

Mr. O’Sullivan expressed concern however that due to the pressure on services in Galway that the staff currently in training might be sent there.

“We are very concerned by the failure of local representatives to take the opportunity of the Minister’s visit to arrange a meeting with the Steering Group.

“It now appears that the government parties have decided to ignore all representations on this issue.

“We have repeatedly made clear that we have no intentions of allowing this issue to drop.

“If the government parties think that they can hide on this issue they are in for a rude awakening,” he said.