Hospitals warned to stay within budget

HOSPITALS around the country were told to survive within their budgets as Mary Harney warned of a “tough, tight year” ahead for the health services.

She pointed to the 278-bed Kerry General Hospital, in Tralee — which has remained within budget for the past three years — as an example of what could be achieved.

“I would like to see other health service managements also living within budget and without reducing services to patients,” the health minister said during a visit to Kerry General.

The minister, who sat beside Kerry General manager Margie Lynch while speaking to reporters, had earlier met representatives of organisations campaigning for the retention of all cancer services at the hospital.

Upwards of 50 people took part in what was described as a solidarity gathering outside the hospital when the minister arrived.

More than 20,000 signatures were collected in Kerry earlier this year in support of the campaign by Woman 2000, Kerry ICA and the West Kerry Action Group.

However, Ms Harney confirmed that, under the national plan which provides for eight centres of excellence, breast cancer diagnosis and surgery are being transferred from the Tralee hospital to Cork University Hospital, this autumn.

Chemotherapy and other follow-up treatments will continue to be provided in Tralee, which, last year, had 54 surgical procedures for breast cancer.

Mammography services will also get a digital upgrade in Tralee, the minister added.

“Services will not be moved from Tralee until all facilities and equipment are in place in Cork” said Ms Harney.

A surgeon and a nurse will be dedicated to the care of Kerry patients in Cork, where two beds will be ring fenced for Kerry patients.

Concerns are also being voiced in Kerry about delays in providing a mobile breast screening unit.

It is understood there are difficulties in recruiting a radiographer but Ms Harney said she expected the service to be in place next year.

Voluntary organisations raised hundreds of thousands of euro to help provide cancer treatment equipment in Kerry General.

Ms Harney promised all such equipment would remain in the hospital, despite the scaling down of services.