BETTY Holmes is well-known throughout Co Donegal for her passionate defence of health services.
As a member of Donegal Action on Cancer Care she has been outspoken on recent cutbacks.
Now the closure of the gynaecology ward at Letterkenny General – and the moving of services to the new medical wing – has provoked protests.
Here is her open letter to the Minister for Health and the boss of the HSE.
| Dear Minister for Health James Reilly, The Irish Government & Mr Tony O’ Brien Director General Designate HSE The moving of the Gynae Ward at Letterkenny General Hospital in order to facilaite the moving to the new medical unit without additional funding, is not in the best health care interests of the female patients. It is your responsibilty to provide the funding & staffing necessary to meet the health care needs of the people of Donegal. I understand cuts have to be made where appropriate. I fully understand that management at the hospital are all under major pressure due to the hospital annual budget cuts & the recruitment embargo at LGH plus the added pressure of the new medical unit with no additional money to open it, which is crazy. But moving & changing the Gynae Ward from it’s present form really is a step to far! Among many other health care issues at the Gynae Ward I have seriuos concerns as how the loss of the Gynae Ward in it’s present form will impact on women who are having surgery for breast, ovarian, cervical and other female cancers who are provided with appropriate high quality care in Gynae to recuperate in a female only environment. Betty Holmes |
