Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC) is a voluntary organisation formed in April 2005 as a direct response to doctors from Letterkenny General Hospital (LGH) telling us, in plain terms, how uncertain the retention and development of cancer services in Letterkenny General Hospital are.

Donegal Action for Cancer Care provides a platform for cancer patients, their relatives and supporters including members of the medical profession. All are committed to evidence-based health policies and infrastructure planning. DACC is led by a County Committee (formed in May 2005), of representatives from 22 local branches located throughout Donegal.

DACC’s primary aim is to ensure that those diagnosed with cancer in Donegal, have equal access to cancer care services and treatments.

DACC is campaigning to ensure that Letterkenny General Hospital (LGH) retains and develops its cancer services, and for equal and better access to radiotherapy treatment services for Donegal patients. DACC stresses that all patients, both public and private, should benefit from these much needed resources.

To this end, DACC is seeking:

The permanent appointment to Letterkenny General Hospital of: 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 Breastcheck;

The provision of 70 new beds at Letterkenny General Hospital;

The establishment of a satellite radiotherapy unit in Letterkenny General Hospital;

Urgent designated funding to assist patients and their families who have to travel for treatments.

The people of Donegal were appalled to learn that the O’Higgins recommendations threaten the provision of Breast Services in LGH, with a potential domino effect on all other cancers treated in LGH. They were appalled to learn that LGH’s Breast Surgeon’s contract is temporary; they were appalled to learn that it is common for surgical procedures for cancer patients to be cancelled, in some cases 4 times because of bed shortages. They were appalled to learn that the NW has not been included in the National Radiation Network in any explicit, meaningful concrete way.

The response of the people of Donegal to all of this, speaks for itself. In the past year, DACC has mobilised the County and informed the country of our situation. DACC has put the provision of cancer services in Donegal to the top of all political parties’ agendas. Our demands have been brought to and listened to at the highest political and health care levels. Now we demand RESULTS.

Summary of Activities of Donegal Action for Cancer Care 2005 - 2006

12 April 2005

Donegal Action for Cancer Care was launched in Moville and received national media coverage. Speakers at the launch were; Trish Hegarty, Chair; Mr Kevin Moran, Regional Director for Cancer Services, NW; Dr Brian Hennessy, Chair of Medical Board, LGH; Francis Mc Daid, relative of cancer patient and Noelle Duddy, cancer patient. The response to this launch was massive and within a few months DACC had launched new groups throughout the County. Membership includes: Ardara/Glenties; Buncrana; Carrick/Glencolmcille; Convoy/Drumkeen; Donegal Town; Fanad/Kerrykeel; Falcarragh; Finn Valley; Glenswilly; Gortahork; Gweedore; Kilmacrennan/Tremon/Creeslough; Killybegs; Letterkenny; Moville; Meevagh; Milford; Newtowncunningham; North Inishowen; Ramelton; Rosses and St Johnston/Carrigans/Lifford.

18 May 2005

At the opening of new accommodation in Oaklands, St Luke’s, John Friel and Noelle Duddy, both members of DACC and patients at St Luke’s, lobby An Tánaiste, Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children, and gave her a letter requesting that she meet with DACC, as a matter of urgency to discuss the provision of cancer services in Donegal. Ms Harney promises to meet. DACC received national media coverage following this event.

31 May 2005

DACC forms a County Committee with representatives from all its local committees.

June/July 2005 – DACC’s Survey

DACC conducted a survey in Donegal to gather information on the difficulties many cancer patients and their families face when accessing cancer services. DACC invited patients to complete a questionnaire in order to provide us with vital information needed to lobby the Government on behalf of all cancer patients, past, present and future.

The main findings from the survey are that cancer patient’s experience:

Serious delays in accessing treatments

Increased stress travelling to access treatments

Increased financial burden on families accessing treatments

Isolation from families when receiving treatments

The survey serves as a pilot study to further research into the stress/distress cancer patients’ face when they do not have local access to cancer treatments.

The results of the survey were presented to An Tánaiste during DACC’s meeting with her on 27 July 2005.

Wednesday 27 July 2005: DACC met with An Tánaiste on 27 July 2005 and had a robust discussion with her regarding the provision of cancer services in Donegal. (At time of writing this report DACC is awaiting confirmation of date to meet with her again in the coming weeks).

Present at the meeting were: Mr Kevin Moran, Regional Director of Cancer Services, NW; Mr Alan Moran, Network Manager HSE-NW; Ms Noelle Duddy, Co-chair DACC; Ms Lynn McDevitt, PRO DACC; Mr John Day and Ms Brid Gillespie members of County Committee DACC.

The outcome of the meeting was as follows:

Consultant Radiation Oncologist to be appointed to service Letterkenny

clinic within 3 months.Mr Moran to meet with Joint Committee of Comhairle na nOspidéal and the National Hospitals Office. He will present the case for appointment of a permanent Breast Surgeon and the retention and development of Breast services at LGH.

Ms Harney agreed to meet with us in autumn, to discuss above and the provision of radiation services for Donegal.

During the meeting she was also presented with:

25 page submission outlining DACCs campaign, including results of DACCs survey.

70,000 signature petition

270 letters from children

September/ October 2005

Deputations from DACC addressed each of Donegals 5 Local Councils.

6 Sept 2005 Ballyshannon Town Council

13 Sept 2005 Buncrana Town Council

10 Oct 2005 Donegal County Council, Lifford

10 Oct 2005 Letterkenny Town Council

25 Oct 2005 Bundoran Town Council

All 5 of Donegal’s Councils have fully endorsed this campaign and recognise the need for same.

Monday 7 November 2005

DACC addressed Donegal’s TD’s; MEP’s and Senator on 7 November 2005.

In attendance were: Mary Coughlan, TD and Minister for Dept. of Agriculture and Food; Pat the Cope Gallagher, TD and Minister of State at the Dept. of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; Marian Harkin, TD and MEP; Jim Higgins, Senator and MEP; Cecilia Keavney, TD; Jim Mc Daid, TD; Dinny McGinley, TD and Joe McHugh, Senator.Niall Blaney, TD and Séan O’Neachtain, MEP, were unable to attend as they were both out of the country at the time of the meeting.The outcome of this address was that DACC secured the support and endorsement of its campaign from all Politicians present. Those absent from the meeting offered their support by letter.

November 2005

Dr Osama Salib, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, St Luke’s, is appointed to service outpatient clinics in LGH. Clinics will increase from 2 sessions/month to 3 sessions/month. All patients requiring assessment for radiation treatment will now be seen by a Consultant in LGH. Dr Salib will complete the cancer team and will play a vital role in the Letterkenny cancer care multidisciplinary team. In December members of the Executive Committee met with Dr Salib and outlined our campaign to him. He is keen to assist DACC in whatever way possible and agreed to meet with County Committee in the New Year.

Monday 16 January 2006

DACC met with and addressed National Directors of the HSE on 16 January 2006 at the Office of the CEO in Parkgate, Dublin.

In attendance were: Mr Pat Mc Loughlin, National Director, NHO; Mr Tommie Martin, National Director, Office of the CEO; Dr Pat Doorley, National Director, Population Health; Ms Marie Laffoy, Assistant National Director, Population Health; Mr Alan Moran, Network Manager HSE-NW; Mr Tim O’Hanraghan, Regional Director of Cancer Services, NW; Mr Kevin Moran, Consultant Surgeon, LGH; Dr Karen Duffy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, LGH; Dr Kathleen MacGowan, Consultant Radiologist, LGH; Dr Donal O’Driscoll, Consultant Radiologist, LGH; Dr Gerry O’Dowd, Consultant Pathologist, LGH; John Day Co-chair DACC and Noelle Duddy Co-chair DACC.

This meeting proved to be robust and frustrating for DACC and the NW team. However it served as a catalyst to advance discussions regarding the appointment of a permanent breast surgeon to LGH. It was agreed during the meeting that the above named group would meet again in two months to further discuss developments regarding same.

Thursday 23 February 2006

Donegal Action for Cancer Care’s County Committee agreed at a meeting held on Thursday 23 February 2006, to support Letterkenny General Hospital’s (LGH) Medical Boards decision that in the absence of an agreed permanent resolution to the issues of ‘breast services’, no support services would be provided for new patients referred with symptomatic breast disease from 1 June. Furthermore, all breast clinics, including review services would cease from 1 September 2006. Doctors Karen Duffy and Gerry O’Dowd explained to DACC members the rational behind the Medical Boards decision. Neither DACC nor the Medical Board reached their decisions lightly.

March 2006- ongoing

Letterkenny General Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital meet to discuss, develop and agree a Joint Proposal in which it is envisaged that both hospitals will establish a joint MDT, reviewing all new cancer cases and securing the appointment a permanent Consultant breast Surgeon to LGH. All is subject to agreement being reached between both hospitals and subject to HSE ratifying Consultants appointment.

Tuesday 7 March 2006: During a County Meeting it was agreed to postpone any demonstrations until we see if there is a positive outcome from HSE when it receives and deliberates on joint proposal from LGH and Altnagelvin. The situation is to be reviewed week commencing 24 April 2006.

Thursday 9 March 2006

Members of Buncrana DACC arranged a meeting with Minister Micheál Martin, in The Lake of the Shadows, Buncrana. Also present were: Cecily Keavney, TD; Jim McDaid, TD; Peter Mc Laughlin; George Friel; John Friel and Noelle Duddy, DACC.

During the meeting DACC impressed upon the Minister the seriousness and urgency of the current situation regarding the permanent appointment of a Consultant Breast Surgeon to LGH. Other issues discussed were radiation services to the Donegal/NW. The Minister informed those present that he would personally ‘take up the issue’ with An Tánaiste.

Wednesday 29 March 2006

Minister Mary Coughlan; Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagher; Cecily Keavney, TD and Jim McDaid, TD meet with An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern to impress upon him the urgency for the permanent appointment of a Consultant Breast Surgeon to LGH. Also raised was the issue of DACC having a further meeting with An Tánaiste, Mary Harney and Prof Drumm, all TDs were anxious that this would be facilitated asap.

NB Throughout the year members of the political opposition in Donegal, Niall Blaney, TD; Dinny McGinley,TD and Senator Joe McHugh have raised the issues pertaining to the provision of cancer services in Donegal, many times in both the Dáil and Seanad. DACC has also received the support of our MEP’s; Marian Harkin, Jim Higgins and Séan O’Neachtain.

DACC also recognises the support it receives from all the Local Councils.

24 April 2006

DACC meet with Dr Liam Twomey, TD, Shadow Health Spokesperson, Fine Gael, in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey, to hold round table talks regarding the provision of cancer services in the County. Also present from Fine Gael were; Dinny McGinley, TD; Terence Slowey; Brendan Travers; John Boyle and Barry O’Neill. Present from DACC were: John Day, Noelle Duddy, George Friel, Lynn Mc Devitt, John Quinn, Anne Mc Grennaghan, Patrick Shields Séan O’Donnell, Jean Perry, Anne Prenderville, Patricia Hone and Gerry Gillespie.

April 2006

At the time of writing this report, DACC awaits the outcome of ‘talks’ amongst LGH and Altnagelvin; LGH, HSE-NW and HSE and Dept of Health and HSE.

DACC is also waiting for confirmation of meetings with:

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, TD

An Tánaiste, Mary Harney, TD and Prof Brendan Drumm, CEO, HSE

Dr Pat Drooley, National Director, Population Health

DACC as an Organisation: Since its inception in April 2005, DACC has grown to include 22 Local Committees throughout Donegal. Two representatives from each of these Local Committees, forms the County Committee, which in turn elects the Executive Committee. The County Committee meets monthly. DACC has its own constitution and as it continues to evolve it will need to review this constitution. DACC is still a very young organisation and is still establishing its identity.

DACC has applied to the Charities Section of the Inland Revenue for charitable tax exemption. To date charitable tax exemption has not been given and DACC has been asked by the Inland Revenue to furnish them with further information, the new Executive needs to attend to this. Indeed, it may be the case that DACC do not fulfil the requirements for charitable tax exemption. Regardless of this the new Executive needs to clarify DACC’s financial responsibilities to the Inland Revenue.

Mr Donal MacLochlainn volunteered to audit DACC’s accounts for the year 2005-2006. DACC County Committee having agreed that its accounts be audited by an Auditor sanctioned this.

DACC have agreed to get ‘public liability insurance’. The quote and application forms are available for the new Executive Committee to complete as soon as possible.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, thanks are offered to all the Local Committees and their representatives who make up the County Committee. It is from these people that the heart and strength of DACC is found and beats with passion and determination.

A huge Thank You is offered to the McEniffs, Management and Staff of the Mount Errigal Hotel for giving so generously and freely of their facilities. The use of the Mount Errigal for our meetings has ‘made life much easier’ for the County Committee of DACC.

Thanks are also offered to:

Mr Donal MacLochlainn of Stewart and MacLochlainn for agreeing to audit DACC’s accounts

Browne & Co, Solicitors for drawing up DACC’s constitution

Frimur Print and Packaging

Mc Menamin Printing

Ms Jane Bailey, Cancer Care Alliance

Local and National media networks

All those people who contributed to supporting this campaign, should it have been through donations, use of facilities, driving people to meetings, attending meetings and/or holding their own meetings. DACC is a success because the people of Donegal care about and for people who have to live through the experience of cancer.

And finally, on behalf of all of DACC, a very warm thank you is offered to the members of the Executive Committee who given so freely of their energy, time and patience and ensured that DACC was administered by them to the best of their ability. Thanks are extended to:Kathleen O’Connor, Co-secretary, North Inishowen Sheila McMenamin, Co-secretary, Letterkenny Nuala Lenaghan, Co-treasurer, RameltonGeorge Friel, Co-treasurer, Buncrana Lynn McDevitt, PRO, Glenswilly Jim O’Donnell, PRO, Bunbeg

This campaign has placed us all on a very sharp learning curve and none of us this time last year could have known the extent of DACC’s achievements one year later. We have done very well. We have brought the issues of the provision of cancer services for Donegal from the corridors of Letterkenny General Hospital to the corridors and offices of Leinster House, The Dáil, The Seanad, Hawkins House; The Office of the CEO for HSE and to the Country. All the powers that be, all those with a responsibility for the provision of cancer services know of Donegal Action for Cancer Care and know our demands. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. Talking is not sufficient. Donegal Action for Cancer Care demands RESULTS.

On behalf of this outgoing Committee, we wish the newly elected Executive Committee, good luck and good counsel.

Thank you

Noelle Duddy, Co-chair, Moville

John Day, Co-chair, Meevagh

24 April 2006