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Donegal Action for Cancer Care |
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Mission Statement: The primary aim of DACC is to ensure the people of Donegal have access to world class cancer services whilst ensuring the retention and development of all cancer services at Letterkenny General Hospital. |
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Contact DACC- Email: equal@dacc.ie Telephone: 00 353 74 91 28 400 |
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Central to DACC is best quality care for cancer patients. |
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Up to 30,000 new cases of cancer expected this year 2010 (Irish Cancer Society) ****************************************** NO HEALTH CUTS HERE!!!! A dark day for health care in Donegal!!!! DACC are calling on all the people of Donegal to unite and not let our health services at Letterkenny General Hospital be cut or axed!!!! In December 08 DACC wrote to our Donegal TD’s & Senators asking for their support in NO HEALTH CUTS HERE & FOR MATCHED INVESTMENT TO BE MADE IN HEALTH CARE!!!! Excerpt from DACC letter sent 15-12-08” In light of our Government’s announcement that we are now to revisit Lisbon at a minimum cost of €12 million followed by Minister Harney’s announcement on Sunday 14th Dec. that we will have serious cut’s in health spending in 2009, we are calling on all our Donegal Politician’s to ensure that no more money can be “conveniently” found for things other than health. We want matched investment funding on health. We are calling on you our elected representatives to unite with the people of Donegal for NO HEALTH CUTS HERE!” ******************************************* HSE denies job cuts have been confirmed ahead of talks with unions The HSE is denying that any staff at Letterkenny General Hospital have been told their jobs are to go.Earlier today, a number of staff members on temporary contracts contacted Highland Radio to say they had been told their jobs would go at the end of this month.Posted: 27/Jul 16:14 To read HSE statement DACC invite you to please click on this link below www.highlandradio.com/2010/07/27/hse-denies-job-cuts-have-been-confirmed-ahead-of-talks-with-unions/ ********************************************************************* Concerns grow for 100 jobs at Letterkenny General SIPTU says there are increasing fears that 100 jobs could be lost at Letterkenny General Hospital as the HSE takes action to slash costs in the Western area. The country’s largest union is to ballot for strike action over a HSE plan to cut hundreds of temporary contract jobs this after the HSE’s outgoing CEO Brendan Drumm yesterday announced that most cutbacks in the Health Service will come from hospitals. Martin O’Rourke is SIPTU’s representative in Donegal – He says while not confirmed there is real concern that job losses at Letterkeny General will be confirmed: Posted: 26/Jul 11:27 Courtesy of Highland Radio.com *********************************************************************** DACC wish to inform women that from 1st Jan.2010 Action Cancer in Belfast can still offer breast screening to ladies in Donegal in a limited capacity ( Approx 4 appointments a day). A donation of a minimum of €100 for your mammogram is required. Appointments are offered to women aged 40-49 and 65+ To book an appointment with Action Cancer you must; Be aged 40-49 or 65+, Have no symptoms of breast cancer, Not have had a recent mammogram. For an appointment phone 048 90 80 33 44 and ask for appointments. *************************************
The Charity Committee in Tesco in Letterkenny have organised a football match with the Tesco store in Monaghan to take place on Sunday the 1st of August at 3pm at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny. There is a five euro entry fee with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society. All are welcome. They would really appreciate your support at this event to ensure a good turn out to raise as much funds as possible for this great cause. **************************************************************** Telephone DACC- at 074 91 28 400 DACC Book “Cancer-You Are Not Alone” a practical information book about cancer, written by cancer patients for cancer patients. For a free copy please phone Noel A Coyle on 085 174 1869 or email :noelanthonycoyle@eircom.net and Noel will arrange to get you your copy. DACC also have a wide range of cancer books which can also be got through Noel. The book “Cancer-You Are Not Alone” which was produced by The Action Strategy Sub Committee of DACC, with financial assistance from the Citizens Information Board, provides a common source of information for cancer patients, their families and friends. The information is presented in common everyday language that makes it easy to read and understand.The book was written to help people understand and cope with the journey from diagnosis through to treatment and onwards to recovery. It will help them understand the changes that can happen in their life and assist them and their family to deal with their feelings about cancer. The book also provides useful tips and hints provided by medical experts and also by people who have already travelled this road and who can share the experience with others.The book outlines the considerable supports, financial and other, that are available and in general terms gives information as to how these can be availed of by providing contact information. “Cancer- You Are Not Alone” is a major step towards providing that much needed information for cancer patients, from one source, in clear understandable language. While the book is primarily aimed at Donegal patients, it will be useful to patients nationwide. The book is free of charge. DACC would like to acknowledge the support through funding of the *************************************************************************** DACC wish to inform people who are experiencing financial difficulty due to illness or other unexpected cases of family hardship of the following funding. The Hardship Fund Irish Cancer Society / National Cancer Control Programme The Marie Keating Foundation Comfort Fund DACC PROVIDE MORE DETAILS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW Financial support for cancer patients DACC- Also information on Social Welfare Entitlements please click on Social Welfare Entitlements 2010 ************************************************************* DACC support campaign to Get Men Talking about health A new campaign aimed at getting men talking about their health has been launched by the Marie Keating Foundation. The campaign has been launched as part of the Foundation’s annual Men’s Health Month, which takes place every March. Currently in Ireland, one in nine Irish men is at risk of developing prostate cancer, one in 19 is at risk of developing bowel cancer and one in 205 is at risk in relation to testicular cancer.As part of the ‘Get Men Talking’ campaign, a new website, http://www.getmentalking.ie, has been developed to specifically focus on cancer. Tools on the site include an ‘ask the expert’ section, a discussions area and general information on different types of cancer. Posted: Tue 02/03/2010 by Deborah Condon] Courtesy of Irish Health DACC INVITE YOU TO CLICK ON THIS LINK www.getmentalking.ie/ For more on The Marie Keating Foundation DACC ask you to click on this link below DACC are calling on all men to develop relationships with their GP’s regarding their own health. It is not necessary to have “something wrong” with you to attend your GP. Men, we ask that you take the time to have a health check up, there is nothing your GP has not heard or seen before! DACC invite men to get more information by checking out the Men’s Health Manual from the Irish Cancer Society please click on linkwww.cancer.ie/men/ ***************************************************** “Health Facts for Men” Leaflet Available In mid-June 2010, the Meath Primary Health Care Project for Travellers launched a new leaflet on “Health Facts for Men”. Although this leaflet was designed to meet the needs of Traveller men, it contains a lot of useful information for all males. It is now available for downloading from the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland website as a Publisher 2007 file at: www.mhfi.org/facts.pub and in Word format at: www.mhfi.org/facts.doc (please note that these files are very large). For further information, contact the Meath Primary Health Care Project for Travellers at Tel 046 9071679 or Finian Murray (Men’s Health Development Officer) at Tel: 046 9280644. ( Courtesy of Donegal Workers Co-op Bulletin) DACC INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE AND TO DOWNLOAD LEAFLET BU CLICKING ON THIS LINK www.mhfi.org/news.htm ************************************************************* Prostate cancer numbers grow The number of new cases of prostate cancer in Ireland has increased by 85% in 10 years, a new report shows. In men aged 55 to 64 years, the number of cases more than doubled, according to the report from the National Cancer Registry.The report shows that the number of prostate cancer cases rose from 1,492 in 1999 to 2,758 in 2009. However, from 1996 to 2006 the number of deaths from the disease increased only slightly, from 523 to 543. The risk of dying of prostate cancer before the age of 75 has also fallen. [Posted: Thu 27/05/2010 by Niall Hunter, Editor] DACC invite people to read the most recent report 27th May on Prostate Cancer from the National Cancer Registry DACC invite you to read report by clicking on this link please prostate trends 27th May (7) The second report in the National Cancer Registry series on cancer trends in Ireland shows some recent trends in liver cancer. 24th March 2010 DACC invite you to read 2nd report please click on this link ncri.ie/pubs/pubfiles/liver_trends.pdf For more information on the National Cancer Registry please click on this link ncri.ie/ncri/index.shtml **************************************************************************************** Men's skin cancer death rate doubles over 30 years DACC INVITE YOU TO READ FULL ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK PLEASE news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/10172892.stm DACC INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SKIN CANCER BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW PLEASE www.my-skincheck.com/00-partenariat.asp **************************************** Uptake of 80pc for teen girls' cancer jab By Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent Wednesday July 21 2010 EIGHT in 10 of the teenage girls offered the cervical cancer vaccine in schools last term availed of the jab, new figures revealed yesterday.The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that 1,300 first-year girls received the first dose of the vaccine in May, as part of the limited rollout before it is extended in the autumn.It protects against the types of HPV infection that cause seven out of 10 of all cervical cancers, and was offered to first-year girls in 21 secondary schools last term.Parents were sent out information packs and consent forms in advance of the vaccination beginning. Some parents have expressed reservations about vaccinating their daughters against a sexually transmitted disease at such a young age. DACC invite you to read full article by clicking on this link please www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/uptake-of-80pc-for-teen-girls-cancer-jab-2266009.html ********************************************************************** DACC are delighted that concerns they raised to The National Cancer Screening Service have now been addressed regarding difficulties women with disabilities were having not being able to access their Cervical Smear. This was raised in our submission and again as part of the workshop we attended in Dublin on 11th March regarding “Hard to Reach Populations/ Marginalized Populations ” CervicalCheck Access Officer CervicalCheck has appointed Dr Marian O' Reilly as Access Officer. She can arrange extra help for people with disabilities who use CervicalCheck's information and services. The Disability Act 2005 requires every public body to have at least one Access Officer. If you need help to use CervicalCheck's information and services you can contact Dr Marian O' Reilly by phone at (061) 4613900 or by sending an email to access@cervicalcheck.ie. To read the report received the 7th July DACC invite you to click on this link below please Participant Summary Report doc final doc 7 July MC (2)(3) ******************************************************** DACC continue to actively campaign for the reintroduction of open access for Cervical Smears. Fewer smears after CervicalCheck changes A record number of women attended the Dublin Well Woman Centre for smear tests in the first half of last year. However this number dropped significantly during the latter part of the year due to new restrictions applied to the National Cervical Screening Programme. According to Well Woman, the most effective way to ensure women attend for regular smear tests is to have a ‘free and accessible' screening programme. When the national screening programme, CervicalCheck, was launched two years ago, women aged between 25 and 60 were able to avail of free smear testing. They simply had to make an appointment with any registered smear-taker. However, CervicalCheck changed its policy last September, and only women in receipt of an ‘invitation letter' can now access a free test."The change in the programme from a free and accessible model to a much more restrictive one resulted in a dramatic drop in the numbers attending for cervical screening in the latter part of 2009. We started 2009 with an unprecedented demand for cervical screening. This demand was, in part, due to a significant advertising campaign by CervicalCheck. The other major factor in driving women for screening was the death from cervical cancer of UK celebrity, Jade Goody," explained Well Woman chief executive, Alison Begas. [Posted: Tue 29/06/2010 by Deborah Condon - www.irishhealth.com] DACC invite you to read full article by clicking on this link please www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=17539 ************************************************************************* Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC) – wish to remind women in the relevant age group of the importance of having a smear test! DACC are calling on all women in the appropriate age group 25-60 years of age to remind them of the importance of having a Cervical Smear - get yourself registered and get your invitation letter to avail of your free smear.
The National Cervical Screening Programme CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 60. A smear test is a simple procedure that only takes minutes and is the most effective way to detect changes in the cells of the cervix. CervicalCheck has developed a register (list) of eligible women nationwide aged 25 to 60 through up-to-date information received from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Over the next three years, CervicalCheck will send an invitation by post to women on this list who have never had a free CervicalCheck smear test.Who can have a free smear test? From 1 September 2009 women who have never had a CervicalCheck smear test will need a letter of invitation from CervicalCheck to have a free smear test. With an invitation letter, women can have a free smear test with any smeartaker (GPor Practice Nurse) that is registered with CervicalCheck. Over 4,150 GP's, Women's Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics all over Ireland are registered to take smear tests. What if I have not had a smear test in the last three years? Any woman that has not had a smear test in the last three years can opt-in and request an invitation letter from CervicalCheck by registering online or completing and returning a Freepost self-registration form (See under Publications and Information Leaflets section) or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55. Please click on this link for more information www.cervicalcheck.ie/ DACC invite you to download information flyer on Your Free Smear Test click on this link below ************************************************************************************ Minister Harney welcomes launch of Health Funding Report 9 July 2010 The Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney T.D. today welcomed the publication of the report of the Expert Group on Resource Allocation and Financing in the Health Sector, which she established in April 2009. The Group was tasked with analysing the current resource allocation arrangements for health and personal social services, and recommending changes which would support the core objectives of the health reform programme. It was also asked to take a view on the most appropriate financing mechanism for this purpose in Ireland (see terms of reference and membership below).Speaking at the launch, the Minister thanked the Chair, Prof. Frances Ruane, and the members of the Group for their detailed and comprehensive analysis of the many complex issues involved. She said, “The way we allocate resources and pay for health services is a powerful force for the achievement of best health for the people and best outcomes for patients. “The priorities we set, and the incentives we create, will mean more care in the community, improved service for patients, and more transparency in how money is used.“Alongside the progressive implementation of quality standards and licensing of hospitals, this is the next major step in health reform. “It is certainly about making money follow the patient’s best health, that is, getting the outcomes we need, not just constantly more and more tests, treatments and consultations." The Minister welcomed the focus in the Report on the development of new population health based funding arrangements and on addressing the burden of chronic disease management through pro-active integrated care at all levels, including primary and community care, linked to internationally recognised clinical protocols.She also welcomed proposals to move to a system whereby hospital treatments would be funded on a mainly prospective, episode of care basis, as compared to the current historic block grants. The National Treatment Purchase Fund had shown how this method could be used in purchasing treatments for public patients from private hospitals. The Group is now recommending extending and mainstreaming this method of purchasing from both public and private providers, building on the NTPF’s experience.The Minister said “I will give detailed consideration to all the proposals and suggestions in the Report. There are recommendations that should be capable of fast implementation and will support the more effective use of resources in hospitals and community settings, with clear benefit to patient care. Others require more fundamental change over a medium timeframe, as resources and savings permit.”“I intend to bring the report to Government for its consideration and decisions in the autumn.” DACC invite you to read full article and report by clicking on the link below please www.dohc.ie/press/releases/2010/20100709.html ************************************************************************* DACC invite you to read the most recent report on cancer trends the National Cancer Registry 8th July 2010 This describes cancer in adolescents and young adults (age 15-24 at the time of diagnosis). Please click on this link to view young adults **************************************************************** Irish Cancer Society News ************************************** Irish Cancer Society News "Building Effective Cancer Support Services in Ireland". www.cancer.ie/news/news.php?newsID=359?h St Luke's could be used as hospice after closure, says Harney
A cancer facility that is due to close in four years will not be sold off and may instead be used to provide care for the terminally ill, Health Minister Mary Harney said yesterday. St Luke's hospital in Rathgar, Dublin, which provides radiotherapy treatment, has been at the centre of a row over its proposed closure, which is opposed by former patients DACC invite you to click on the link below to read full article *************************************************************** DACC welcome news on “New consultants for Letterkenny “ 25.0610 ************************************************************** STATEMENT FOLLOWING REVIEW OF RETURNED UNOPENED CERVICALCHECK LETTERS The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) recently undertook a review of CervicalCheck letters that were returned unopened by the intended recipients. As there is no single population register, unique identifier or post code system in Ireland, CervicalCheck compiles its register of eligible women aged 25 to 60 from information received from the Department of Social Protection and self registration of women (online, by Freephone or by completion and return by Freepost of a self registration form). The Cervical Screening Register (CSR) is a secure electronic database. Every woman on the CSR is sent a letter of invitation for a free smear test over each three year screening round. If a woman does not respond to her initial letter of invitation she is sent two reminder letters at two monthly intervals. 25th May 2010 DACC invite you to read full article by clicking on this link please www.cancerscreening.ie/news/news.php?idx=167 ********************************************************************** BREASTCHECK AND CERVICALCHECK PROGRAMMES SHORTLISTED IN THE BEST HEALTH PROMOTION PROJECT CATEGORY OF CRYSTALCLEAR HEALTH LITERACY AWARDS The BreastCheck and CervicalCheck programmes were recently shortlisted in the Best Health Promotion Project category of CrystalClear Health Literacy Awards for promoting awareness of programmes. The award recognises the importance of developing a suite of information leaflets and tailored materials for both programmes with simple, sensitive and easy to understand language to address barriers to screening which include fear, literacy difficulties, language barriers and embarrassment. The judging panel also took into consideration specific publications including the BreastCheck ‘Guide to breast screening’ for women with intellectual disabilities and their carers, the pictorial CervicalCheck information leaflet and the ‘Simple Guide to the Language Used in Cervical Screening’ that helps ensure smeartakers can clearly explain the process and clinical results to women. The award also acknowledged the work of the screening promotion team in local communities, their programme of peer education and partnership with the Irish Cancer Society in delivering the play ‘Unravelling the Ribbon’ nationwide. Sarah Mumford and Maeve McNamara, two HSE community dieticians were the winners in the Health Promotion category for their project ‘Milk it, much Ado about nothing’ which encouraged discussion and debate on breast feeding. Others included Europa Donna Ireland in the best project in the community or social setting category for the ‘9 things you should know about breast cancer leaflet’ to explain access to breast cancer screening and treatment. Courtesy of the National Cancer Screening Service website - 21st April 2010 DACC say well done to both the NCSS & Europa Donna ************************************************* Breast Centre North West ( Breast Cancer Unit) at Letterkenny General Hospital. Letterkenny General Hospital has an excellent guide for patients booklet for those visiting the Symptomatic Breast Clinic. It includes practical information on what happens at the clinic. It is available from the LGH. This booklet was prepared by the National Cancer Control Programme in consultation with alth care professionals and people who have attended a symptomatic breast service. DACC invite you to view the booklet by clicking on the link below please The unit/clinic is fully up and running and includes digital mammography and ultrasound equipment, provided by the Breast Check programme. It is staffed by the Consultant Surgeon, Oncologist, Radiologist and Breast Care Nurses. Sean Murphy, the hospital's General Manager says staff are committed to the development of breast cancer services in Donegal, in conjunction with the region's designated Cancer Centre at University College Hospital, Galway. "We are determined to ensure that our patients' experience of the breast service here is first class and I believe that our new unit is an important step in that effort." Dec.08 National Breast Cancer Helpline (1800 30 90 40) For information on the Irish Cancer Society, DACC ask you to please click on link www.cancer.ie ********************************************** Europa Donna Ireland (EDI) the Irish Breast Cancer Campaign launched a leaflet highlighting the 9 things every woman in Ireland should know about breast cancer. It is the first time a mass distribution of a cancer leaflet has been done to most households in the country, with a priority given to remote rural regions and urban areas where women’s and community development groups and BreastCheck are actively increasing awareness. DACC invite you to click on this link to learn more www.europadonnaireland.ie/content/9-things-you-should-know-about-breast-cancer DACC invite you to download leaflet by clicking this link please www.europadonnaireland.ie/files/Leaflet%2010page.pd Declaration on fight against breast cancer in the EU STOP PRESS 19 March: All 12 Irish MEPs have signed the Declaration and we would like to thank them as well as all our members and supporters who contacted them. The Declaration in the fight against Breast Cancer in the EU has been approved. DACC invite you to read more on the Europa Donna website by clicking on this link please www.europadonnaireland.ie/content/declaration-fight-against-breast-cancer-eu ********************************************************* Athlone Institute Technology /Irish Cancer Society Study into Breast Cancer At the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month today, preliminary results from a study, which identified factors that inhibit women from accessing breast cancer services, conducted by Athlone Institute of Technology in association with the Irish Cancer Society, were revealed. This qualitative study conducted in four major cancer care hospitals, representing every province in Ireland, included 52 breast cancer survivors who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004 to 2009. The average age of women in the study was 53 years. The oldest participant was 81 years and the youngest was 31 years. When diagnosed, 30% of participants had a breast lump greater than 4cm, 60% of participants had a breast lump in the range of 2.1 – 4cm in size, with only 10% had a tumour size of less than 2cm. A tumour size of less than 2cm signifies Stage 1 breast cancer which is the earliest stage of this cancer(1). DACC invite you to read the key results of the study by clicking on the link below ht.://www.ait.ie/research/researchnews/title-679-en.html *************************************************************** Celebrating Five Years of Prostate Cancer Research and Collaboration The Irish Cancer Society recently hosted an event to celebrate five years of collaborative research in prostate cancer in Ireland, and to launch a report documenting significant research achievements (download the report below).The Prostate Cancer Research Consortium (PCRC) is a co-ordinated group of researchers and clinicians from universities and hospitals in Dublin whose aim is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Established in 2004 with funding from the Irish Cancer Society, the PCRC aimed to link like-minded researchers from different academic institutions and hospitals to maximise research potential in this disease. Speaking at a recent event to celebrate five years of collaborative research in prostate cancer in Ireland Professor William Watson, co-founder of the PCRC, described some of the significant achievements of the Consortium: DACC invite you to download the report by clicking on this link www.cancer.ie/pdf/ProstateCancerReport2010.pdf ******************************************************************* DACC welcome Minister Harney’s banning of sunbed use for teenagers Teens to be banned from sunbed use The use of sunbeds by people under the age of 18 is to be banned, Health Minister, Mary Harney, has confirmed. Ms Harney said that she will be seeking Government approval ‘by the end of June' to introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds. Subject to Government approval, the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill will include the following measures: -The use of sunbeds by those under the age of 18 will be prohibited. For full article DACC invite you to click on this link please www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=17439 [Posted: Wed 09/06/2010 by Deborah Condon - www.irishhealth.com ********************************************************* DACC WELCOME DR.SUSAN O’REILLY TO HER NEW POST Statement by Minister Mary Harney T.D. on the appointment of new Director of the Cancer Control Programme 31 May 2010 Courtesy of Dept Of Health Website The Minister for Health and Children , Mary Harney T.D. today (Monday 31st May, 2010) welcomed the announcement of the appointment of Dr Susan O' Reilly as the new Director of the Cancer Control Programme. The Minister said "I had the pleasure of meeting Dr O' Reilly when I visited the British Columbia Cancer Agency in 2006. The approach of the British Columbia Cancer Agency is very similar to the Irish Cancer Control Strategy. Dr O'Reilly is one of foremost leaders of cancer control in Canada and I am confident she will build on the achievements of the National Cancer Control Programme that we have seen under the leadership of Professor Tom Keane." ******************************************************* DACC welcome Cervical Vaccine start- First schools to be visited starting Monday 17th May Minister Harney welcomes announcement of details of the commencement by the HSE of HPV Vaccine Programme Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children announced her decision on 15th January 2010 to commence vaccination of girls who are currently in first year in secondary school with HPV vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer in the future. The Minister welcomes today's confirmation by the HSE of the 17th May as the starting date for the delivery of the vaccination programme. The first schools will be visited during the week of 17th May 2010 with the remainder of schools commencing the programme in September 2010. The Minister re-affirmed that during 2010 all girls currently in first year and those entering first year in September next will be offered the vaccination. Additional funding has been made available to the HSE to allow for the programme, which will require 30,000 girls to receive three doses of the vaccine each year, to be delivered as announced. Parents and schools will be sent information packs by the HSE in the coming weeks, letting them know of the programme and when their daughter’s vaccinations will begin. The programme aims to achieve a high uptake of over 80% for a completed three dose vaccine course. Minister Harney said “This programme represents an effective public health protection measure and is an important element to our already well developed cancer prevention and control strategy and I would encourage all those interested to visit the dedicated HSE website at www.hpv.ie to inform themselves of the details and have their questions answered.” DACC ASK THAT YOU GET MORE INFORMATION BY VISITING WWW.HPV.IE 07 May 2010 Courtesy Dept of Health website ************************************************************************ DACC concern at long waiting list for colonoscopies and ask if you are a person who is waiting or not sure if you are please check this up with your surgery or contact the National Treatment Purchase Fund details below. Date: 07 May 2010 Irish Cancer Society calls for more progress on cutting colonoscopy waiting times 951 patients waiting more than three months for colonoscopy The Irish Cancer Society is concerned at the continuing trend in the high number of people waiting more than three months to undergo a colonoscopy, the most effective procedure for diagnosing bowel cancer. According to data provided by the hospitals to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), which manages public hospital waiting lists, there are now 951 people waiting more than three months for a colonoscopy. While this represents a minor decrease of four percent since the Society published figures in March, it is the upward trend over the last six months which is most concerning. There are 130 more people waiting more than three months for a colonoscopy since December.Commenting on the waiting times, Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy and Communications, Irish Cancer Society said, “We are concerned at the potential impact the continued high number of people on waiting lists may have on a screening programme. We warmly welcomed Minister Harney’s announcement on bowel cancer screening which will involve the use of selected hospitals to deliver screening colonoscopies, and to begin in 2012.” DACC INVITE YOU TO READ FULL ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK www.cancer.ie/news/news.php?newsID=333?h ************************************************** The National Treatment Purchase Fund DACC are urging people that if you are waiting more than 3 months for tests or treatments at Letterkenny General Hospital you can avail of these through the NTPF- you can contact the National Treatment Purchase Fund: Lo Call phone number 1890 720 820 DACC ask you to view more information on the National Treatment Purchase Fund by clicking on www.ntpf.ie/home/ ******************************************************************** DACC ASK THAT WE MAKE OURSELVES MORE AWARE OF WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BOWEL CANCER 55% of bowel cancer cases in Ireland diagnosed at an advanced stage For more information DACC encourage you to learn more about Bowel Cancer by clicking on the link below please €22m hospital building to open this year Posted online: May 6th, 2010 Courtesy of The Letterkenny Post Letterkenny’s new “hospital within a hospital” is now beginning to take shape – and should be completed by the end of the year. DACC invite you to please click on this link for view of new A& E www.letterkennypost.com/ **************************************************************** HSE to tackle A&E delays in Galway National director of the HSE, John O'Brien, told the meeting that the problems at the hospital could be sorted out in a matter of weeks if there was a willingness to address them. "It is not a resource issue. The solutions lie within," he said. GORDON DEEGAN The Irish Times - Tuesday, May 4, 2010 THE HSE has sent two high-ranking executives to help resolve the continuing problems at the A&E department of the largest hospital in the west of Ireland. National director of operations, Laverne McGuiness, and director of operations for HSE West, John Hennessy, met senior hospital management at Galway University Hospital (GUH) last week.The chairman of the HSE West Forum, Cllr Padraig Conneely (FG), said: “I very much welcome now that a high-powered HSE committee is going in there to sort it out.”At a meeting of the HSE West Forum last week, Mr Hennessy said the HSE was “very concerned about the national performance of the AE at the hospital”. DACC invite you to read the full article in the Irish Times by clicking on this link www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2010/0504/1224269631234.html ******************************************************************************** European Health Insurance Card – change from 1 May 2010 It is an objective of the European Commission to facilitate the movement of people, workers and pensioners, to move freely within the European Union. To encourage this free movement people who are linked to the Social Security System of any State can receive healthcare in any other Member State at the cost of the home State. A part of this system is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles a person to necessary healthcare in the public system of any EU/EEA member State and Switzerland, if they become ill or injured while on a temporary stay in that country Due to a change in European law, from the 1st May 2010 responsibility for issuing the EHIC will no longer rest with a persons state of residence. DACC invite you to click this link to the Dept of Health website please for more information www.dohc.ie/issues/ehic/ ************************************************************************** Prostate cancer vaccine wins US approval news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8654039.stm ************************************************************************* DACC wish to inform people of the following change to the Irish Cancer Society phone numbers The Irish Cancer Society Helpline phone numbers Please note that the Irish Cancer Society has decided to merge its three helpline numbers into one number. Therefore from January 2010, the National Cancer Helpline (1 800 200 700) will answer any question on any cancer free of charge. The Action Breast Cancer Helpline and the Action Prostate Cancer Helpline will now form part of this one number 1 800 200 700 and any questions about Breast or Prostate Cancer will be answered by Specialist Nurses. > DACC invite you to click and read www.cancer.ie/contact.php National Cancer Helpline 1 800 200 700 (Mon-Thurs 9-7, Friday 9-5) Smokers' Quitline 1 850 201 203 *********************************************** DACC welcome roll out of BreastCheck in Donegal (Fri 26th Feb) BreastCheck Now Contacting Women from Next Screening Area in Donegal BreastCheck was introduced to Co Donegal in October 2009 and will remain in the county until all eligible women aged 50-64 have been offered a screening appointment. DACC- BreastCheck came to Donegal on 5th October 09 BreastCheck service has been really well received in Donegal, feedback from the women has been really positive. (12th Jan.2010) DACC ask women to please check that they are on the register by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or checking online at www.breastcheck.ie DACC congratulate Letterkenny General Hospital on HIQA report 25 February 2010: The Health Information and Quality Authority national report into the quality and safety of symptomatic breast disease services in Ireland and eight local hospital reports of the designated centres. The Authority has identified that significant progress has been made in providing high quality and safe services, though improvements are needed to make this sustainable. To read report DACC ask you click on this linkA www.hiqa.ie/media/pdfs/Symptomatic_Breast_Disease_Services_National_report_2010%20.pdf ************************************************************************************ Irish Cancer Society News DACC invite you to read this report, please click on this link www.cancer.ie DACC have been proactive in Donegal regarding lymphodema Date: 19 Feb 2010 ***************************************************** Donegal Action for Cancer Care ( DACC) Notice Due to the current economic climate DACC felt we had to make a responsible decision and close our office on 31st October 09 as we are funded 100% by voluntary donations and fundraising.All the work that was happening at the office is continuing from our homes with ongoing information & support available to members of the public. Please feel free to continue to contact us. We remain very committed, focused and hardworking dedicated to ensuring best quality care for cancer patients. If you have a concern, query, need some information or would just like to someone to talk to for some support or direction we at DACC will do our best within our remit to help you. Do not feel that you are alone. ************************************************ Blood test could help screen for colon cancer The Irish Times - Tuesday, February 9, 2010 For DACC link to this page please click on www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2010/0209/1224264026681.html *************************************************************** HSE plans to reduce admissions A reduction of 33,000 in hospital emergency department admissions, an overall cut of nearly 6% in inpatient care, and savings measures of €106 million for 2010 are outlined in the HSE's latest service plan, which has now been approved by Health Minister Mary Harney. Statement on HSE National Service Plan, 2010 by Minister Harney 8 February 2010 The Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney, T.D. today (Monday 8 February) announced her approval of the HSE National Service Plan 2010. DACC invite you to read the Minister’s statement, please click on this link www.dohc.ie/press/releases/2010/20100208.html *************************************************************** DACC WISH TO INFORM PEOPLE OF SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH CANCER CanTeen Ireland, Ireland's young people's cancer support group. In Today's World world cancer is a commonplace illness that affects thousands of people. In many countries groups have been set up to help people with cancer, and some particularly to help young people who have to deal with such an illness early in their lives. What is CanTeen Ireland? DACC invite you to view CanTeen website please click on this link www.canteen.ie/ ****************************************************************************************** The National Cancer Screening Service DACC welcome -Implementing Ireland’s First National Population-based Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme http://www.cancerscreening.ie/publications/Colorectal_BB_P11.pdf For Minister Mary Harney’s Press Release please click on this linkwww.dohc.ie/press/releases/2010/20100115.html *************************************************************************************************** A core national cancer dataset (CNCDS) There is a growing recognition of the need to base cancer control policies on accurate, detailed and timely information on cancer management and outcomes. Traditionally, most national population-based information on cancer in Ireland has come from cancer registration, which has the strengths of being comprehensive, accurate and population-based. However cancer registration is retrospective and has, in the past, centred on producing accurate reports a year or more after the year of diagnosis. DACC invite you to read more please click on this link ncri.ie/news/20100118.shtml January 19th 2010 ********************************************************************************* HSE infoline assists over 150,000 people in 2009 Review of the HSE Information Line - 1850 24 1850 Providing Information on health and social care services to over 150,000 people in 2009 The HSE's Information Line service (1850 24 1850) has improved customer service and access to health and social services, a recent evaluation involving 250 callers to the service has indicated. Through its 'Your Service Your Say' programme, the HSE is committed to involving people who use its services in the design, delivery and evaluation of the services it provides to the public. This evaluation of the Information Line is one such measure to review and improve services for the public.The HSE Information Line provides confidential information on over 160 topics relating to all HSE health and social service information including service entitlements, eligibility, application forms for schemes and contact details for various health services around the country. In 2009 (for the period January to November) the HSE Information service received 154,381 calls, up 44% on the same period in 2008. Since 2005 over 346,000 calls have been made to the HSE Information Line. 28th December 2009 DACC- more information please click on this link www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/infoline.html ************************************************************************************************* Dec.09 Health in Ireland, Key Trends 2009 DACC invite you to view click on this link please www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/keytrends09.pdf?direct=1 ********************************************************** An atlas of cancer in Ireland 1994-2003 The National Cancer Registry will publish the first atlas of cancer in Ireland on December 1st. 2009. This atlas provides detailed geographical information on the distribution of all the common cancers in Ireland, over a ten year period from 1994 to 2003.Monday, November 30th, 2009. To view the atlas please click on the link below ********************************************************************* DACC want to remind you that- Politicans and Governments come and go CANCER IS ALWAYS HERE!! “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has” Anthropologist Margaret Mead 1901-1978 |
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A Bend In The Road When we feel we have nothing left to give and we are sure that the song has ended, you've just come to a bend in the road. Helen Steiner Rice |
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