Health board abandons radiotherapy fight

CAMPAIGNERS for cancer services in the South-East are planning protest rallies after the regional health board abandoned its fight for radiotherapy in the region.

Fianna Fáil promised a radiotherapy unit for the South-East, based in Waterford, in the run-up to the last election. But now, Waterford Labour TD Brian O'Shea has discovered the Health Services Executive has abandoned its campaign for the service.

Furious cancer patients, their families and supporters are now planning to march on the Dáil on May 12. They are also finalising submissions to the Human Rights Commission and the European Court of Human Rights. Campaigner Jane Bailey said she can not understand how Health Minister Mary Harney says she wants to bring radiotherapy closer to sick patients while on the other hand, the HSE is abandoning its fight.

"The HSE has as its core principle 'We're Listening to You'. It's obviously not. Cancer sufferers in our region are not being listened to. The service got just €700,000 this year, that is just €1.65 per person in the South-East."

A spokesperson for Ms Harney said she is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland.

Developments in Cork and Galway will result in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators. Five consultant radiation oncologists are being recruited for this service. This will significantly improve access to radiotherapy for patients in the South-East and elsewhere, the spokesperson added.

Mr O'Shea said the confirmation from the HSE that it is no longer fighting for radiotherapy for the region is typical of the commitment to the service for those outside Dublin, Cork and Galway.

"Any health board or other agency applying to the minister for service, unless in Dublin, Cork or Galway, found it was a waste of time.

"Until Government policy is reversed, that will remain the position. It's a matter now for the rest of us to continue the campaign. It's about the people of Waterford and the South-East now setting out to their public representatives that nothing else is acceptable to us bar full, public radiotherapy for Waterford," Mr O'Shea said.

Radiotherapy campaign chairman Dick Roche said Ms Harney had given a commitment when she visited Waterford last January that she would examine radiotherapy services for the South-East, based at Waterford Regional Hospital.

"We've collected 100,000 signatures from people all across the South-East. And we will be bringing these to the minister when we convene on the Dáil on May 12. All is not lost though. We've moved from a no, no, no situation to one where Mary Harney is saying maybe," Mr Roche said.

In a letter to Mr O'Shea, regional manager for acute services with the HSE Richard Dooley, said the efforts of the health board to secure radiotherapy for the region officially ended with the publication of the Hollywood Report on cancer services.

Promises made and broken

Daffodil Day 2002: South-Eastern Cancer Foundation meet the Taoiseach, who promises he "will do something".

April 2002: Minister Martin Cullen commits to the provision of radiotherapy. PDs do likewise, and state that it will be dealt with urgently.

January 2005: Health Minister Mary Harney, speaking to cancer campaigners from Waterford, says: "We need to have a range of multi-disciplinary services and teams available locally so the various treatments can be given in a single base."

April 2005: Regional manager for acute services Richard Dooley says: "The efforts of the health board to secure radiotherapy for the region officially ended with the publication of the Hollywood Report two years ago."