Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Cancer Services: Motion (Resumed)

 

7:00 pm

Photo of Beverley FlynnBeverley Flynn (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

——had arrived at a decision in the best interest of the women of Mayo to start to engage with Professor Keane in transferring breast cancer services to Galway. This was a decision made by clinical experts for very good reasons and I have no argument with it. I admit I was disappointed, but I commend Tony Canavan on issuing a statement and explaining to the people of Mayo why they made their decision and expressing their disappointment at the loss of a valuable service to Mayo General Hospital. I also commend the consultants for the clinical leadership they showed by putting the women of Mayo first.

I want every woman in Mayo, whether a public or private patient, to have the same opportunity to get the best possible care available in Ireland for cancer. They are entitled to a service that gives them the best chance of survival that this country has to offer. What is planned is that a woman would have her initial diagnosis and surgery in Galway. There will be a Mayo clinic within the Galway clinic with designated theatre and clinic times. There will be ring-fenced beds for Mayo patients. The clinic will be managed by Mayo staff, with the same consultants and the same staff, maintaining the valuable relationships and personal contact that women enjoy in Mayo General Hospital. They will not be just numbers, they will be people and they will have that personal contact.

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