Move to centralise cancer care ‘should be reversed’

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.

Waterford-based group Cancer Care Alliance (CCA) described as worrying the fact that the Government had rejected the recommendations of the Irish Society of Medical Oncologists (ISMO), who last year called for eight cancer centres: four in Dublin and one each in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick.

“This was a document from ISMO - the people who direct cancer care - and it appears it was suppressed to facilitate the Hollywood plan,” said Jane Bailey of CCA.

Last year, the Government decided to adopt the findings of the Hollywood report, which recommended cancer services be centralised in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Ms Bailey said the group was “truly amazed” that the ISMO submission was rejected by the National Cancer Forum in favour of an alternative view. Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley called on Health Minister Mary Harney to take immediate steps to put radiotherapy services in place in Waterford and Limerick.

The Department of Health reiterated its reasons for adopting the Hollywood report, describing the group behind it as “the most authoritative voice in radiation oncology in this country”.

“Their report should be seen in this light,” the department said. The expert group behind the Hollywood report included radiation oncologists and experts on radiation therapy as well as patient advocates.