MGH cancer unit may be saved

Cancer unit at Mayo General Hospital may stay – Flynn

Cancer Unit
Claire Egan

MAYO GENERAL Hospital may be the only unit in the country to retain its cancer surgical services as a satellite centre of one of the eight designated cancer centres of excellence planned under the National Cancer Care Strategy.
Speaking to The Mayo News this week, Deputy Beverley Flynn said she was hopeful that a resolution could be found to the current health impasse concerning the cessation of a number of cancer services at regional hospitals nationwide and the concentration of cancer care in designated centres.
“What we are proposing, in tandem with the National Cancer Care Strategy, is that MGH retain all of their cancer care services and that we link in with University College Hospital, Galway with Consultant Surgeon Kevin Barry also participating as part of a multi-disciplinary team at UCHG. We are not diluting the cancer care strategy in any way but rather focusing on flexibility. I totally agree with having the best cancer care for the women of Mayo and with this proposal we are retaining our services yet still linking with the cancer centre in Galway,” she said.
The Independent deputy met with Professor Tom Keane, the new Director of Cancer Control, as part of the Oireachtas Committee on Health on December 18. Keane is scheduled to visit Mayo General in the New Year and to meet with Consultant Surgeon, Mr Kevin Barry, to assess cancer services at the hospital.
“At last week’s meeting our plan was put to Professor Keane and his response was that he was not dismissing the fact that there are other alternatives that would work but that it was not in the strategy. He certainly did not rule out the proposal. The issue has already been pressed with Minister for Health Mary Harney and we will continue to exert pressure on her. She is due to meet with Professor Keane in the New Year, as part of a sub-committee, regarding the implementation of the strategy,” said Deputy Flynn.
Under the plan, MGH hospital would retain all oncology, chemotherapy and aftercare services, but surgery and diagnosis would take place at the UCHG.