An Taoiseach meeting


	Donegal Action for Cancer Care “ Equal Access for Equal Need” Questions for our meeting with on Taoiseach, at Letterkenny General Hospital on 29-03-07. Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Breast Surgeon will be “in Situ” in July 2007? What are your future plans for provision of Radiotherapy Services for the people of Donegal - Money/Timelines ? We understand that Breast Check which was originally promised for the end of 2007 for Donegal is now put back to 2011. Can you as Taoiseach and your good offices get this service brought to Donegal on the original promised date ie. 2007? In light of Dr. Comber’s report on Tuesday indicating the disparity of health outcomes in the East and the West in relation to Cancer, what plans do you have to rightify this disparity in the West? Can the Taoiseach assure us that Cancer Services will be made a priority in the North/South Ministerial Council. What discussions (if any) have taken place with DHSS’s in the North and HSE in the South to further a cross border Cancer services. What support will your Government and HSE give to the development of a Community Healthcare Screening Initiative for Donegal.? Since we are aligned to receive Cancer Services from Galway, we would require transport from the North West to Galway, taking into account the poor state of health of those travelling to Galway. We would appreciate if the Taoiseach would give this attention and ensure that people can travel in comfort and dignity to and from Galway whilst undergoing treatment. In our original submission we had estimated that a minimum of 70 beds were required for LGH. We are disappointed that to date only 26 beds have been commissioned – 15 in the new unit and 11 in the Oncology Unit. DACC appreciates the time given by the Taoiseach to listen to our concerns, not withstanding his busy schedule. We look forward to bringing the Taoiseach’s answers back to cancer sufferers and carers in Donegal. We wish to acknowledge the support of Dr James Mc Daid, TD. Mr Terry Mc Eniff and Cecilia KeaveneyTD in helping us secure this meeting. Go Raibh Maith Agat.

		Press release by Noel Coyle, Co-Chairperson of Donegal Action for Cancer Care on their meeting with An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern on 29-03-07. An Taoiseach committed to working with DACC. Donegal Action for Cancer Care are delighted, to inform the people of Donegal, that An Taoiseach, set aside time in his busy schedule to meet with them in a sit down meeting at Letterkenny General Hospital, to address and discuss their concerns. “DACC brought to the Taoiseach many concerns in the form of 9 specific questions, regarding the whole aspect of cancer care in Donegal”, said Noel Coyle, Co-Chairperson of DACC. Also discussed was Dr. Harry Comer’s report, which highlighted the divide between the East and the West, which confirms what DACC has been stating for two years. Whilst the Taoiseach admitted that it was far from ideal, they were striving to develop health services. An Taoiseach added “I appreciate and indeed I congratulate DACC for the work being carried out by the group”. “The Taoiseach assured us he will respond to all our questions”, said Noel “We also noted his very positive response to the possibility of a community screening initiative and he said“I compliment you on being prepared to do something for yourselves and not leaving it all to the government”. The Taoiseach gave us an undertaking to arrange a meeting with Minister Mary Harney to discuss ways forward with the community initiative and he said that “the HSE would not be found wanting in co-operating in the development of community initiatives”. The Taoiseach finished the meeting by telling us that” he was committed to working with us”, said Noel. DACC would like to thank Dr. James Mc Daid and Mr Terry Mc Eniff in helping us secure this dedicated meeting, to Cecilia Keaveney for her valuable input and to Niall Blaney for his support at the meeting. Donegal Action for Cancer Care. “Equal Access for Equal Need” 27th March 07 An Taoiseach, A Chara, Our very sincere thanks to you, for agreeing to meet with us at Letterkenny General Hospital on Thursday, as part of your whistle stop trip to Donegal.We are aware that recent media coverage, regarding a supposed spilt in Donegal Action for Cancer Care has reached your office. We are delighted to clarify this for you and assure you, that DACC are still very much in existence, going from strength to strength, with business as usual and we have not “strayed” from our initial objectives. Please see attached recent press release and we would ask you, Taoiseach, to please take the time to read it. We think it makes our position very clear and why we refuse to work in a way, other than a dignified and respectful manner. You met with DACC last April in Redcastle and we are delighted that as a result of that meeting and indeed our very successful Awareness Rally we have secured one of our objectives, the appointment of a permanent Breast Surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital. Indeed the closing date for application’s, is the day of your visit to our beautiful county. This post will allow for 9 weekly sessions in LGH. Imagine 15,000 people at the Rally, supporting the need for cancer services for Donegal, we’re sure you will agree, a remarkable and memorable day. Our next objective is to secure a Satellite Radiation unit for Letterkenny General Hospital. This will be high on our agenda with you on Thursday, including the urgent need to ensure that all women in Donegal have access to breast screening, and today’s report from the National Cancer Registry. Minister Mary Harney’s is “signing off” on the Co-location Contracts on the 16^th April without her follow-on meeting with us. We have not been able to secure a date with Minister Harney for a meeting, although she had given an undertaking to us last May, that she would meet with us in Oct.06. We had given you our submission in April last year at our meeting with you in Redcastle. The people of Donegal will have to go “Cap in Hand” to Sinn Fein and the DUP. The people of Donegal had given a mandate to Fianna Fail with 5 out 6, TD’s in Government. We now ask where should our loyalties lie? Again, Thank you and we look forward to meeting with on Thursday. Yours Sincerely, Lynn Mc Devitt Co- Chairperson of DACC Noel A Coyle Co- Chairperson of DACC Press release by Lynn Mc Devitt, Chairperson of Donegal Action for Cancer Care, March 07. DACC- dignified but determined to secure cancer services! DACC welcome any group or initiative that will further Cancer Services in Donegal. We will work closely with any group or person who will help us achieve our aims and objectives for cancer patients and their families. The objectives of DACC remain the same from the beginning although some of the personnel have changed. The permanent appointment to Letterkenny General Hospital; a Consultant Breast Surgeon: a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and a Consultant Radiation Oncologist. The retention of Breast Cancer Services in Letterkenny General Hospital. The immediate introduction of Breast Check. The provision of 70 new beds in Letterkenny General Hospital. The establishment of a Satellite Radiotherapy unit in Letterkenny General Hospital. Indeed it is our policy that we would link up with any stakeholders in the area of Cancer Care and treatment. DACC remain focused in a dignified and respectful manner, while our mission Statement in “Equal Access for Equal Need”, this also includes the respect for each individual and Branch and County level who we consider to be all prominent and valuable members of the organisation. While we acknowledge that there are members who have left, there are also new members joining and passed members returning. Many of those branches mentioned in previous reports are still active members of DACC. Since April last year, many positive developments have been worked on - such as our successful Awareness Rally, which was instrumental in securing Breast Services in LGH and to highlight the 5 points. Although, we welcome last weeks advert in the paper, DACC will continue to keep pressure on, until the Breast Surgeon is in situ and full time. In response to the needs of Cancer Patients in the community, DACC has identified a need to produce an information booklet on services available for cancer patients and their families, which will include welfare and support services. This type of information is currently not available in booklet form at present. We hope to have this in print by late spring/ summer. In November last year, at the County meeting a democratic vote was taken to send delegates to Meadville, Pennsylvania to research Cancer services there. The delegation comprised of an Executive Chairperson, a Chair from the Action Strategy Group and an independent person who went on a fact finding mission along with business people from the community. This fact finding trip arose from an invitation by a prominent Cancer Specialist who previously visited Ireland to give a talk to The Royal College of Surgeons and also to give a talk in the Mount Errigal Hotel on the Holistic approach and ECaP(Exceptional Cancer Patients). DACC felt then as it does now, that there is an onus on us to explore every avenue to get the best cancer services including prevention, diagnosis and treatment for the whole community. We in DACC “Rule nothing out and Nothing In” that will enhance Cancer Services in Donegal. We in DACC don’t have all the answers. We regret that people felt the need to leave our group as their presence and commitment were valued and we indeed, hope that they might rethink their decision and join us in attempting to achieve our aims and objectives. We will continue to endeavour to do our best, and we urge those with the knowledge and means to do so, to come forward and help DACC to further our aims. If each of us did a little, we together can effect profound change. “For those who say it can’t be done, they should not stop those who try to do so.” ( Chinese Proverb) 8th October 07. To date no response to the questions asked to An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on the 29th March 07 has been recieved.