Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister has my utmost sympathy in dealing with the HSE. I wish to bring a case to his attention which refers to University Hospital Galway, UHG, which is a centre of excellence for cancer care for the people of County Mayo. I regret to tell the Minister that a woman cancer patient has been waiting since the beginning of February for surgery. I am told her GP has been in contact with the hospital and her family is waiting by the telephone but she has not been given a date yet. She would be operated on by a consultant urologist in UHG but the theatre for this surgery has been closed down, and when the consultant returns next week, no staff will be available to support him in theatre. Notwithstanding a substantial waiting list, this woman still does not have a date for surgery. I have contacted the hospital but I can get no clear answers. The consultant is very frustrated.

This is no service. Are there service level agreements in place? What impression does this give and what distress must this put upon the woman and her family, as well as all the other patients who are waiting but do not have a date? I cannot understand how a cancer patient can be left in this situation or how I can get no answers to my inquiries from the HSE. I take it from those who carry out the work at the hospital that the theatre is closed and, even when the surgeon returns next week, the theatre will remain closed until the end of the month. I will pass on the woman's details to the Minister. I would like this matter addressed. This is no service for people when they need it most.

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