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. Patient health care needs cannot be put before the Government, Dept of Health- Minister Reilly & The HSE requirements allow you to cut LGH’S hospital budgets which leaves them with no choice in this matter. But moving & changing the Gynae Ward from it’s present form really is a step to far! There are some wards/ situations that are really not open for discussion such is there level of best practice quality care requirement & sensitivity and the needs of women who receive their medical care in the Gynae Ward is one of those. So many key & vital medical & health care services are provided for Donegal women within that unit in it’s present structure. It would never happen that the Maternity Ward, Childrens Ward, etc be put along with others, the same applies to Gynae- this is due to the best practice quality care needs of the patients which are presently met in the Gynae Ward. 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. Women with the above named cancers cannot be made more vulnerable by being having their recovery impacted on. Dept of Health budgets now versus best practice quality health care at our local hospital. This really is a step too far this time! Betty Holmes |