Mac Sharry ‘disappointed’ by Government’s attitude to NW

FIANNA Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marc Mac Sharr y says the new National Cancer Strategy 2017-27 announced by the Government this week will exacerbate the neglect of cancer ser vices for people li ving in the North West of the countr y.

There are more than 300,000 li ving in the region and they will have to continue to travel to either Universit y Hospital Galway or Altnagelvin in Derr y for cancer treatment.

Deputy Mac Sharr y said:“I am deeply disappointed by this Government’s attitude to people in the North West. The original National Cancer Control Programme centralised all treatment in the major cities, and lef t the North West beref t of any ser vices. People li ving in Sligo, already distraught at a cancer diagnosis then face the prospect of return journeys of up to 8 hours for what should be routine treatment.

“I f ind it hard to stomach that the Health Minister would continue to ignore patient s who li ve in rural or remote areas, forcing them to choose bet ween a journey to Dublin, Galway or Derr y. In the strategy Minister Harris claims that “the National Cancer Strategy is all about people”, but I doubt the people forced to travel for hours for treatment would feel like they are best ser ved by this programme,” he added.