Donegal cancer
campaigners are opposing plans for a €60m private
hospital for the county.
Co-Operating for Cancer Care North West (CCCNW) said
the plan by the consortium Northwest Healthcare "flew in
the face" of Government national policy regarding
radiation services for cancer patients.
"We will not accept a private stand alone unit. This
will not serve cancer patients' best interests,"
said Culdaff-based CCCNW spokesperson Noelle Duddy.
The group is campaigning for a public cross border
satellite radiation unit, integrated with the
National Radiation Network, to include the expertise
of hospitals such as St. Luke’s in Dublin.
"The Government and HSE have argued that they did
not offer Letterkenny General Hospital a satellite
unit because it was unsafe. They insist that the
population in Donegal is not sufficient to safely
operate such a unit.
"A bigger population is required to ensure that a
radiation unit has the through put of enough
patients to maintain and develop expertise of staff
to safely deliver radiation treatments.
"This begs the question if it’s not safe to operate
a radiation unit in Letterkenny General Hospital
then does the same not remain true for a private
radiation unit?"
CCCNW said the problem could be overcome by
increasing the catchment area to include both sides
of border.
"As a result of CCCNW meeting with Mr. Martin
McGuinness, the North's Deputy First Minister in
April, the need for the provision of radiation
services for the North West has been given priority
in the NI Assembly," added Ms. Duddy.
She said the group would seek an urgent meeting with
both health ministers once a new Government is
installed in Dublin.
At that meeting, they would call for the speedy
provision of radiation services in the North West
along with the immediate implementation of the
National Radiation Policy.
Ms. Duddy added: "The provision of radiation
services is not a competition. We need comprehensive
discussions and decisions based on best outcome for
patients not on best profit margins for businesses
and stakeholders." |
