Cancer group in ‘positive’ talks with Harney

Neans McSweeney

Ms Harney told the group she favours a more regional approach to cancer treatment, despite the recommendations made in the National Cancer Strategy that major specialist facilities be developed in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Waterford’s Cancer Care Alliance and leading medics from other regions in the country met with Ms Harney for the first time yesterday, telling her that the Government blueprint for cancer services for the country seriously discriminates against sufferers across the south east.

“We had a very positive meeting, a very constructive session,” said campaigner Jane Bailey.

“While the minister did not make any promises, she did listen and she has promised to visit both Waterford and Letterkenny and see the need for the service on the ground.”

The group felt that Ms Harney has a “common sense approach” to regional cancer care and described her attitude as “a major boost” to the lengthy campaign for radiotherapy in the south east.

A Health Department spokesperson said the Tánaiste is very much in favour of a regional approach to cancer treatment. “The minister told the group that at a regional level we need to have a range of multi-disciplinary services and teams available so that the various treatments can be given in a single base.”

Speaking specifically about Waterford, Ms Harney said it was critical that facilities be developed as close as possible to cancer sufferers.

“The minister has a lot of sympathy for the Waterford case and for having radiotherapy facilities there. But the minister also made the point that there are safety issues,” said the spokesperson.

The 3,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the south east each year are forced to endure four and five-hour return journeys to Dublin and Cork for radiotherapy treatment.

If Ms Harney refuses to change Government policy on radiotherapy, the Cancer Care Alliance has vowed to step up its highly visible campaign.

Fianna Fáil has already been hit by the lack of radiotherapy in the south east. It suffered major losses in the local elections in June last year and just one city councillor, Tom Murphy, returned to office.

The party had held three seats on the authority and the drop in support was attributed locally to public disquiet over the lack of

radiotherapy services.