Groups angry over plan for 8 centres

HOSPITAL campaign groups around the country have reacted with concern to the health authorities’ decision to confine cancer services to just eight centres.

The move will mean shutting down cancer services at about 26 of the country’s smaller hospitals and the transfer of their patients and staff to large hospitals in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Dublin.

Thirteen hospitals were ordered to cease offering breast cancer services with immediate effect yesterday. Other cessation notices for these and about 13 other hospitals treating other forms of cancer, will begin to be issued in the next three months.