Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We in Donegal realise all too well the absolute necessity for the appointment of a second breast surgeon to assist and work with the surgeon currently in Letterkenny. The situation in Letterkenny is critical. I am seriously concerned about the level of service available for patients in County Donegal. Due to limited time, I will refer to a letter sent by the breast surgeon in Letterkenny to the Minister for Health on 16 January. The letter warns of the need to address as an absolute priority the current waiting list or patients will have delayed diagnosis of cancer as a result of the length of time, some in excess of a year. We must take that seriously. These are the words of the only breast surgeon in Letterkenny. The Minister received that letter in January 2017 but has done absolutely nothing about it.

What has the Government done since 25 January 2016 when the Minister of State from the county at that time, Deputy McHugh, delivered the decision of the former Minister for Health that there would be a second surgeon? That was a typical pre-election stunt and I make a charge against both Ministers who did that at the time. Advertisements for a locum continue. We want a permanent breast surgeon in Letterkenny. An advertisement for a locum will not attract any interest whatsoever. Anyone who is interested in the post will take it if it is permanent. I am making a charge here in the House that the half-hearted advertising of this position by the national cancer control programme, NCCP, and the HSE is contemptible. The continuous advertising of this post is a smoke screen. There is no interest. I was disappointed to receive a letter today from the Minister from which I will quote. The letter states that "Meanwhile, the requirements of the Letterkenny breast cancer service in the medium term are being assessed." A decision was taken in January 2016 that there would be a second surgeon and almost a year and half later, we are told it is being assessed. Why is it being assessed? The letter states "this is being done in light of the clear evidence that patients who are operated on by surgeons who carry out higher volumes of surgery achieve better outcomes". We are very happy with those who provide services in Letterkenny but they need support and we must ensure that there is no continuation of what we have been living with for the past number of years. If patients are not being diagnosed at an early stage, the delays will result in them having to travel to other areas. It has been suggested they can move elsewhere. We are not going to accept that. County Donegal is on the periphery. There should be a special package for regions. I have great respect for the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, but, obviously, the Minister, Deputy Harris, obviously has no respect. Whatever he is doing in this city today must be very important if it is more important than the appointment of a breast surgeon in Letterkenny. We are not going to accept this. The Government and its representatives are good at public relations and putting out statements saying they are planning to do this and that but no funding is provided for it. We could well be in a more serious situation. I know that the Minister of State has come in here to deliver the script on behalf of the Minister but we want to meet the Minister and I ask the Minister of State to do that on our behalf. It is not right and proper that Deputies from Donegal should be ignored by the Minister when it is such an important issue for Donegal. We will ensure that Donegal will have a second breast surgeon. For the Minister to do a U-turn at this stage is despicable and we will not accept it. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak on this. This is important for Donegal.

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