THERE ARE no plans currently to reinstate breast cancer diagnosis and surgery at Sligo General Hospital, however the Minister for Health intends to keep the current arrangement for cancer treatment at Sligo General under review, the members of the Regional Health Forum West were told this week.

In response to a formal question submitted by Cllr Declan Bree, asking if the necessary staff and resources had been put in place to ensure the re-opening of the service in accordance with commitments given by the Minister for Health and other government representatives, the Forum was told, “Sligo General Hospital is one of a number of Hospitals from which breast cancer diagnosis and surgery were transferred in line with the HSE’s Cancer Control Plan.  No new referrals of patients presenting with symptomatic breast disease have been accepted at Sligo General Hospital since August 2009, and women in the Sligo area are now provided with breast cancer diagnosis and surgery at Galway.

“A follow-up service for patients with breast cancer who require annual mammography will be put in place at Sligo General Hospital on an outreach basis from Galway when additional radiographers are recruited.  Interviews are being held in order to fill the two radiography position in Galway.  These two positions will enable restoration of the follow up mammography service to Sligo for one day a month.   In addition an equipment review has been initiated and the supplier will be visiting Sligo to validate and test the mammography equipment within the next two weeks.” the Forum was told.

Responding Cllr Bree told the meeting he was very disappointed and concerned at the reply.    “In advance of the recent General Election both Fine Gael and the Labour Party gave solemn commitments that the Breast Cancer Service would be restored to Sligo General Hospital.” he said.

“In addition Eamon Gilmore and Senator Suson O’Keefe of the Labour Party gave a firm commitment that Sligo would be designated as the 9th Cancer Centre of Excellence.   
 
“The Government has had more than adequate time to at least set a date for the restoration of the service in Sligo.   Now a growing number of people believe that cancer victims were used for vote catching purposes by Fine Gael and Labour.   If that should prove to be the case then both parties will pay a heavy price when they next contest an election.” Cllr Bree told the meeting.