Ministers blamed for specialist’s resignation
Dr Oscar Breathnach resigned because of the department's failure to provide the resources for a dedicated oncology ward in the Cork/Kerry region and the shortage of consultants.
Mr Allen said the news of Dr Breathnach's resignation was greeted with disbelief by the people of Cork and Kerry. Dr Breathnach has been warning the health board and hospital management for the past four years that this dedicated oncology ward was needed to provide an efficient and effective service, Mr Allen added.
"He has resigned out of disillusionment and frustration in the indecisiveness of former Health Minister Micheál Martin and present Minister, Mary Harney," the FG Deputy told the Dáil.
Mr Allen described as ironic the fact that Dr Breathnach has been offered a job in Dublin, where he will be one of 12 medical oncologists, while Cork will just have one.
It will be 2006 at least before anyone is recruited to replace Dr Breathnach and in the meantime two additional oncology posts have been advertised in Dublin, he added.
"I blame this minister and her predecessor for an appalling lack of proper planning in the delivery of hospital services in the Cork/Kerry area we need a dedicated cancer ward and extra oncology posts now," Mr Allen added.
However, Junior Health Minister Tim O'Malley, in response, said the HSE Southern Area has advertised for a locum appointee and the recruitment of a permanent consultant medical oncologist has started.
He said officials are also currently working on a proposal for a dedicated oncology ward which will be submitted to the HSE within the next two weeks.
The hospital's strategy is to achieve a dedicated 20-bed oncology ward and to recruit two additional oncology consultants, Mr O'Malley added.
The HSE Southern Area has received around €80 million for oncology services including this year's allocation of €3.5m.
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