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.

In an circular sent to staff at the hospital this week, SIVUH chief executive Gerard O’Callaghan said: “Despite what has been stated in the media, no discussions whatsoever have taken place regarding the possible relocation of services from Cork University Hospital to this hospital or from this hospital to Cork University Hospital.

“All of these issues will be discussed in the context of the reconfiguration of services in the southern region. These discussions however have not yet commenced.”

Last week, Hospital Networks manager for the HSE South Gerry O’Dwyer said that management of SIVUH were now “on board with the transfer” and that staff at the breast unit were willing to move to CUH.

In the circular sent to staff on Tuesday, Mr O’Callaghan wrote that at a South Infirmary board of directors meeting on September 8, it was agreed that SIVUH would co-operate with the National Cancer Control Programme.

“In this regard, it was agreed that staff in this hospital would be nominated to sit on a project group with the HSE. This group has not yet been established nor has its terms of reference been agreed.”

Last night, a spokesman for the HSE denied that lengthy discussions between SIVUH and the HSE would delay or even lead to a dilution of the planned centralisation of breast cancer services.

“Following the decision of the board of directors in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital to co-operate with the National Cancer Control Programme, discussions will now take place on the necessary resources and facilities that are required to enable this to be actioned in the context of the wider configuration of hospital services. No decision has been made to date,” said the spokesman.