Watchdog to probe breast care unit over waiting times

THE Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is to carry out another assessment of breast cancer services at Cork University Hospital (CUH) amid concerns the hospital’s breast cancer unit is struggling to meet demands put on it after the transfer of services from the city’s South Infirmary Victoria Hospital.

A recent HIQA study shows waiting times for cancer patients has increased significantly since the service was moved. The authority also identified governance and management issues since the transfer.

Labour Party spokeswoman on disability and equality issues, Kathleen Lynch, was among a group of women who met CUH management yesterday to discuss the HIQA report and to seek reassurances that the service would improve.