A young Donegal mother who is battling cancer has been waiting for almost two weeks for a transfer for specialist treatment in Dublin.
Lorraine Miller, from Inishowen, is in need of an immediate transfer to St James’ Hospital, but a lack of beds over the past 13 days has prevented her from being transferred and admitted.
Lorraine is currently being treated for an infection at Letterkenny University Hospital.
The case was brought before the Dáil this afternoon by Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue, who called on the Taoiseach to intervene and ensure Lorraine gets the treatment she requires.
Deputy McConalogue said that he was sharing Lorraine’s details in the Dáil forum to highlight her husband Stephen’s frustration and concerns. He asked that Lorraine can be provided with immediate transfer to the oncology unit at St James’.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded to say that the government could not intervene.
“I’m very sorry to hear about that case and I hope it is resolved soon. It is, of course, illegal for me or the Minister for Health to intervene or direct the HSE to do anything when it comes to an individual case and that is in the Health Act which your party wrote,” Mr Varadkar said.
