DONEGAL campaigners are
pushing to have Letterkenny made a Centre of
Excellence for Cancer Care.
Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC) met Health
Minister, Mary Harney in Dublin on Tuesday and
pressed for her to consider the proposal.
The group's public relations officer, Paddy Hume,
said DACC was concerned that the county had appeared
to "lose out" in the proposed national scheme to
create Centres of Excellence.
"We suggested to the Minister to give thought to the
proposal that Letterkenny General Hospital become a
Centre of Excellence to cover the North West
Region," said Mr. Hume.
DACC believes Letterkenny is well placed in terms of
its hospice provision, nurse training and the fact
it borders a large catchment area that would give
the centre the critical mass of people it requires
to be viable.
"The delegation emphasised that there was no reason
why Letterkenny General Hospital could not be the
Centre of Excellence for the North West. Letterkenny
is well placed for this having a hospice; LYIT which
now does nurse education; ten Community Hospitals to
give good step down services and the development of
a Wellness Centre for cancer screening." The group
also cited the county's well developed primary care
centres.
Mr. Hume added: "The meeting was a very positive one
with Ms. Harney giving us an hour of her time. DACC
informed the Minister that when DACC was formed its
focus was for Letterkenny General Hospital. This has
not changed and remains so today." |
