Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I offer the apologies of the Minister who, unfortunately, cannot be present. I do not know specifically where he is but I have been asked to take this matter on his behalf. In 2007, in recognition of the particular and unique geographical circumstances applying to Donegal, the Department set out a clear policy direction approved by Government that the Letterkenny breast cancer service should operate as a satellite centre of University Hospital Galway. Specifically, on a sole exception basis, the Government agreed that Galway should be permitted to enter into outreach service delivery in Letterkenny as an additional activity. This exception was subject to a number of conditions, including case volumes meeting the minimum criteria and all other quality assurance standards being satisfied on the same basis as for care being delivered in Galway.

The Saolta University Healthcare Group remains committed to continuing the Letterkenny service as a fully integrated part of the symptomatic breast disease service in Galway, including through a joint multidisciplinary team approach. The Letterkenny service has been run by a single consultant who also undertakes general surgery at the hospital. Support is provided by Galway-based Saolta consultants who travel to carry out clinics in the Letterkenny service to meet needs arising. The Letterkenny service has been under some pressure to meet key performance indicators of late. While a particular focus has been maintained on urgent referrals, challenges are arising regarding addressing non-urgent breast cancer referrals in a timely way. A locum consultant surgeon will be in place for a period from mid-May and this appointment will help to alleviate the backlog. Meanwhile, the requirements of the Letterkenny breast cancer service in the medium term are being assessed. This is being done in the light of the clear evidence that patients who are operated on by surgeons who carry out higher volumes of surgery achieve better outcomes.

In addition, efforts to recruit GP support and further advanced nurse practitioner support for the Letterkenny service are continuing. The possibility of medium-term requirements being addressed in co-operation with health services in Northern Ireland is also being explored, including the possibility of having a shared locum consultant. This would build on the co-operation already in place in the radiation therapy services at the North West Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin Area Hospital. This centre opened in November last year and is providing access to radiation therapy services for people from both jurisdictions.

A radiologist post for Letterkenny University Hospital has been advertised. A locum radiologist is also being sought to provide cover for the radiology service. Radiographer numbers in Letterkenny have increased and the hospital will continue to develop its radiography service to meet the needs of patients. The Minister recently met patient representatives from Donegal to discuss cancer services in the north west and further such meetings are planned. He remains committed to the continued provision of high-quality, timely services for patients attending breast cancer services in Letterkenny University Hospital.

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