Pringle accuses Minister McHugh of reneging on his commitments for Breast Surgeon Consultant at LUH

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Updated: 4th May 2017

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Press Release – May 4th, 2017

Minister Joe McHugh confirmed back in Jan 2016 that a new consultant Breast surgeon post would be filled at Letterkenny University Hospital however Minister Harris yesterday revealed during a Dáil exchange with Deputy Pringle that a locum consultant post was being pursued instead.

“During countless meetings with the Minister, Saolta Hospital Group and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) we were led to believe that a full time consultant breast surgeon was being sought after for LUH, when all this time it turns out that they’ve been pushing for a locum consultant instead.

“This is very disappointing news and worrying particularly for community groups who have worked tirelessly on behalf of Donegal patients to secure breast cancer services in Donegal.
“I’ve called on Minister Harris to address this contradiction and make a firm commitment to patients in Donegal that a full-time consultant breast surgeon will be posted at LUH, not a locum. A locum would not provide the necessary supports for Breast cancer services and would fall short of what we’ve been campaigning for all along.

“I think we are all tired of the endless discussions of potential solutions at meetings with stakeholders and we want to see real solutions in place now. All stakeholders including Saolta, the NCCP and the Minister need to step up and present a viable plan with a timeframe and the resources to achieve what’s necessary to preserve these services.

“I’m calling on Minister Harris to meet with myself and the Donegal Action for Cancer Care group as soon as possible to establish a solution to protecting breast cancer services at LUH and to reaffirm his commitment to securing a full-time consultant breast surgeon once and for all” concludes Pringle.
ENDS

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