Labour demands govt action to improve cancer services

The Labour Party has demanded immediate government action to improve cancer services in Cork and Kerry.

The call follows severe criticism of the standards of existing services from leading consultant Dr Seamus O'Reilly.

In a letter to the Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney, Dr O'Reilly claimed three of his colleagues had resigned this year alone due to the chronic under-funding of specialist cancer services.

He also said seriously ill patients were being forced to remain at home because of a shortage of services.

Ms Harney has rejected the criticism and has insisted that adequate funding is available.

She also said Dr O'Reilly was involved in discussions on the development of services in the Munster region and he was "very happy" with the pace of change.

However, Labour TD Liz McManus said the Minister for Health needed to visit cancer units in the south of the country and come up with a properly funded strategy to address problems.