Talks on centralisation of breast cancer services yet to begin

PLANS by the HSE to transfer Cork and Kerry’s breast cancer services to one site at Cork University Hospital (CUH) could be on ice as management at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) have stated that discussions have yet to take place on any relocation.

In the past week, the HSE has stated that breast cancer services at Kerry General would transfer to CUH next month while SIVUH would transfer in mid-February.

There has been outrage among staff and patients at the SIVUH about the decision made by the National Cancer Control Programme to move symptomatic breast cancer services from the city centre hospital to CUH’s Wilton campus. Up to now, both the SIVUH and CUH provided breast cancer clinics in Cork city. CUH diagnosed 141 breast cancers in 2007, compared with 210 at SIVUH.