Only one social worker at cancer department

DESPITE the fact that a €5 million upgrade in cancer treatment equipment and additional consultants was announced for Cork University Hospital last week, there is only one specialist social worker attached to the unit for the whole of Munster.

According to CUH social work services manager Mary Casey, there are at least 2,000 new patients seen every year.

“As far as I am aware, there is no provision for extra specialist social workers in the package,” she said.