Deputy Pearse Doherty and Senator Pádraig MacLochlainn have described as ‘outrageous’ the on-going stalemate surrounding the appointment of a much needed second breast surgeon for Letterkenny University Hopsital.
The appointment, which had been previously committed to the hospital by Donegal TD Deputy Joe McHugh in the run up to last year’s General Election, has still yet to be fulfilled, despite growing patient demand for the service.
Commenting on the situation, Senator MacLochlainn said “Over one year ago now, Deputy Joe McHugh eagerly announced that it had been confirmed to him that a second Consultant breast surgeon post had been secured for Letterkenny University Hospital as part of cancer services here in the northwest.
“This key pledge made by Deputy McHugh came just at the mouth of last year’s election campaign, and was warmly received at the time by cancer and patient advocacy groups here in Donegal who have long campaigned for this extra position to ensure the development of cancer services in the region.
“Despite all this, here we are over one year on and Deputy McHugh has yet to fulfil his commitment to the people of Donegal as the appointment of an additional breast surgeon to Letterkenny Hospital has still not materialised – this is simply outrages.
“It’s widely accepted that a second surgeon is badly needed at the hospital where the current breast surgeon Dr Sugrue, sees some 2,000 new patients each year, while the current waiting list for the service has some 600 patients waiting for an appointment.
“As is well known, Dr Sugrue is a tremendous assist to the hospital and he is well regarded by patients and staff alike at the hospital however, it is profoundly fair that he and his team are being put under such unbelievable pressure.
“It’s my understand that the present impasse surrounding this appointment is due to challenges emanating from the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), which oversees cancer policy and service delivery here in the state.
“While I do not believe that any such standoff is insurmountable should the right political will exists, nothing excuses the fact that a promise made to the people of Donegal has yet to be delivered.
“My colleague Deputy Pearse Doherty and I are now calling for the forum on cancer services, which last met in 2015 and which involved contributions from the HSE, the Department of Health, health professionals, advocacy groups and Oireachtas members, to now be reconvened without delay to quickly resolve this unacceptable delay in appointing a second breast surgeon.
“I will also be raising this matter this week in the Seanad through Commencement matters, because what’s clear now is that this stalemate requires the urgent attention of the Minister for Health, who I am calling on to immediately concede to the demands of cancer groups, patients and everyone who has fought to have this appointment secured.”
Also commenting on the matter, Deputy Pearse Doherty said:
“When the announcement was made last year in statements made by Deputy McHugh that a second breast surgeon was to be appointed to Letterkenny Hospital, it was something which received cross party welcome and was seen as a major victory for patient advocacy groups here in Donegal.
“However, this appointment has yet to materialise and serious questions now need to be answered here as to why this commitment has not been honoured.
“Deputy McHugh received assurances from the then Minister for Health that this post was secured, and now it is imperative that all local Oireachtas members now work together to pressure Minister Harris to fulfil the commitment that was made.
“I will this week be raising this issue with the Minister for Health in the Dáil at the next available opportunity because the people in this county have been let down all too often.”
