ANGRY cancer
campaigners have slated the decision to defer the
years-overdue BreastCheck screening service in Co
Donegal due to the HSE recruitment freeze.
BreastCheck chiefs confirmed this week that the
freeze has left them with no option but to defer the
roll-out of BreastCheck in the county yet again.
This is despite many promises the service would be
in place by the end of 2009. Donegal Action for
Cancer Care (DACC) are incensed by the decision and
have called on people in the county to vigorously
lobby their local politicians immediately.
Meanwhile, Co-operationg for Cancer Care (NW) said
it had been "robustly lobbying" both the Departments
of Health and Finance requesting they urgently
process BreastCheck’s application for a series of
derogations that would allow the recruitment of
radiographers and other staff necessary for the
service to go ahead.
"CCC(NW) believes it is very unfair that Donegal
women are being subjected to further unnecessary
anxiety regarding their breast health. This
situation needs to be nipped in the bud so as to
halt any further unnecessary distress," said CCC(NW)
spokesperson Noelle Duddy. "It will be political
suicide for any Government to deny the completion of
the roll-out of this service in Donegal, Leitrim and
Clare and the politicians know that." |