THE funding for the maintenance and development of cancer services has been laid bare (Irish Examiner, November 22).

Cancer campaigners claim a private radiotherapy clinic in Waterford will not meet the area’s needs, reports Neans McSweeney.

Neans McSweeney

CANCER campaigners from across the South-East will be demanding a definitive answer from the Government on public radiotherapy for the region when they march on the Dáil this week.

RADIOTHERAPY campaigners have given a strong endorsement of a new public-private proposal to provide cancer care to patients on the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital.

MOTHER of four Bridget Guiry had developed lesions on her liver by the time her breast cancer was detected.

AS THE Tánaiste makes key decisions in the weeks ahead regarding Ireland’s cancer services, the Cancer Care Alliance (CCA) is sincerely hoping those decisions will be right for all cancer patients and will truly meet the needs of cancer patients outside Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Neans McSweeney

CAMPAIGNERS seeking radiotherapy services for the south-east have called on the Government to reverse its decision to centralise cancer care after an expert report recommended regional centres be provided.

A DELEGATION from Waterford City Council has expressed disappointment at the refusal by Health Minister Micheál Martin to advance the case for provision of radiotherapy services to the south-east.

CANCER patients who were forced to travel from the south-east to Dublin for radiotherapy have died less than 24 hours after receiving treatment due to the strain of the journey.

FULL cancer facilities will be developed in Waterford, but not until complete services have been rolled out in Dublin, Cork and Galway, Health Minister Mícheál Martin said.

PEOPLE will die as a direct result of the Government increasing the minimum population threshold needed to qualify for radiotherapy services, it was claimed last night.

PLANS by the Progressive Democrats to privatise cancer services have angered health campaigners.

THERE are at least €460 million worth of hospital facilities lying idle across the country because the Government has failed to provide funding to open them.

THOUSANDS of people took to the streets in Waterford City on Saturday demanding the Government build a radiotherapy unit in the south east.

About 15,000 people marched in Waterford City today to demand the Government build a radiotherapy unit in the south east.

A protest march to demand a radiotherapy centre in the Southeast is due to take place this afternoon in Waterford City.

A PUBLIC meeting to organise a massive demonstration for a public radiotherapy unit in the South East, will be held on Thursday.

The Cancer Care Alliance has reiterated its criticism of the Government’s policy of concentrating radiotherapy services in a small number of centres.

IN the Irish Examiner of Saturday, March 20, under the headline ‘Protesters demand cancer services,’ it was stated that ‘hundreds’ attended the protest in Waterford.

HUNDREDS of protesters yesterday demanded that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern honour his commitment to give a cancer radiotherapy service to the south-east.

A PLANNED private radiotherapy hospital in Waterford could save the State €2 million in patient transportation costs.

A CONTROVERSIAL report on radiotherapy services which claimed patients did not rate travelling for treatment among their top 10 concerns will come under the Dáil spotlight today.

A GROUP concerned with providing better facilities for cancer sufferers has criticised the Government for fast-tracking millions into the development of an events centre rather than investing in additional oncology services.

The Cancer Care Alliance, made up of patients groups, trade unions, and other organisations, has criticised the Radiotherapy Report, claiming it contains serious flaws.

HEALTH officials are spending more on transporting cancer patients from the South-East to Dublin for radiotherapy than it would cost to build a local treatment centre.

The Cancer Care Alliance is due to meet the Tanaiste, Mary Harney, later today to call for increased funding for cancer services.

THE Progressive Democrat mayor of Waterford has urged the public to vote against the Government because of the lack of health services in the east.

THOUSANDS of people will take to the streets of Dublin today in protest over the state of cancer care.

Thousands of concerned people will take to the street in Dublin today to highlight the fact that cancer is resulting in needless and preventable deaths because of inadequate equipment and facilities.