Mammography machine lying idle
Wednesday March 10 2010
Despite all the assurances that the mammography service would be retained in Sligo General Hospital, the mammography machine in the hospital has been lying idle for the past five months, Councillor Declan Bree told a meeting of the Regional Health Forum West this week.
"When cancer services were being transferred from Sligo to University Hospital Galway the Minister for Health Mary Harney, Professor Keane and the National Cancer Control Programme gave commitments that women requiring follow up mammography would continue to receive the service in Sligo General Hospital," he said.
"In November, the matter was raised in the Dail and the Minister told Deputies that follow-up mammography will continue to be provided at Sligo General Hospital into the future as an outreach service from University Hospital Galway.
"At the last meeting of this Health Forum in response to a question which I tabled we were told that follow up mammography will be provided on an outreach basis from Galway for patients who chose to have this examination at Sligo General Hospital, " Clr. Bree recalled.
"However despite all the assurances and all the promises the fact of the matter is that the mammography service is not being provided in Sligo General Hospital and the mammography machine has been lying idle in the hospital for the past five months. This is totally unacceptable, " said Clr Bree.
"Some patients who have been receiving follow up treatment have been asked to attend at the BreastCheck mobile unit which is based in a commercial car park at Carraroe in Sligo and they have made it clear that they want to receive follow up mammography in the mammography unit at Sligo General Hospital.
"I would also make the point that we have been told all along that BreastCheck screening was for women without any symptoms. Indeed I am aware of constituents of mine in Sligo who have been waiting six to nine months to be called for a routine check at the BreastCheck mobile unit.
"It would now appear that all of us, patients, public representatives, and the people of Sligo and the Northwest region have been misled by the Minister and the National Cancer Screening Service, " Clr. Bree continued.
He said that cancer patients and those receiving follow up treatment had enough anxiety and distress without having to campaign and lobby for a service that should be provided as a matter of routine in Sligo General Hospital.
"I am now asking that we have a comprehensive report on this matter for out next meeting." Clr. Bree said.
Cllr Gerry Murray seconded Clr Bree's proposal and it was agreed that a full report on the matter would be provided at the next meeting of the Regional Health Forum.
