Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I wish to share my time with Senator Cecilia Keaveney. It is right that Senator Keaveney and I should address this issue because it is one which affects the women of Donegal. When talking about cancer, the threat of cancer, patient safety and patients' lives, we need to put away party political differences and look at what is in the best interest of the patient. That is why I ensured this issue was raised in the Seanad.

I refer to the national cervical screening programme which was announced at the beginning of September. I welcome the fact the programme has been up and running since 1 September but there was an announcement that Letterkenny General Hospital would not accept any new referrals for the cervical screening programme from 5 September onwards. The hospital continues to treat patients within the hospital.

The people of Donegal, elected representatives from all sides, patients and people who have been through the system demand that Letterkenny General Hospital be designated as one of the hospitals that will receive referrals from CervicalCheck and that the hospital be recognised as one of the hospitals that will be given priority. While I understand there are difficulties with regard to bringing the hospital up to the required standards, no Minister has given the reassurance required that Letterkenny General Hospital will be one of the centres to which patients can be referred. When the announcement was made and the Health Service Executive was asked why the hospital was not among the 11 centres, mention was made of international best practice, a phrase that is beginning to be hated in Donegal because we hear it in terms of cancer services and all the rest.

There is no excuse for not having a service in Donegal. What is being suggested is that patients transfer to Sligo General Hospital. If patients live in my area, that will require a four-hour round trip. If they live where Senator Cecelia Keaveney lives, the journey will be 240 km. If we are to have a screening programme, we must ensure people avail of it and we must make it simple and easy to use. That is the reason the service is retained and that a statement needs to be made on the issue in the House tonight.

A campaign is being led in Donegal, not by politicians but by an action group called Donegal Action for Cancer Care. I commend that group for the effort it has made, in co-operation with Cancer Care Northwest, to ensure the issue is dealt with effectively. The postcards the group has sent to all of us say it all: "Will I die because of you? We the people of Donegal demand a public colposcopy clinic be retained in Letterkenny General Hospital." That is our demand tonight.