DACC marks five years of campaigning for cancer services!

Published Date: 29 June 2010 Courtesy of The Donegal Democrat

The chairperson of Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC) renewed the group's commitment to cancer patients in the county when the group marked its fifth anniversary recently.

"Credit for all the great work does not belong to a few, but to everyone who has helped in any way, be it in the giving of their time, fundraising and donations, attending meetings, organising and distributing information for local meetings," said Betty Holmes, DACC chairperson. "We have all together contributed to our success."

She said among the group's achievements in the past five years was the awareness rally that drew 15,000 people to Letterkenny in May 2006 "from all walks of life, taking to the streets in a respectful and dignified manner. That day the people of Donegal gave DACC the mandate to work towards ensuring that cancer services are retained and developed at Letterkenny General Hospital and that we have access to world-class services to meet the needs of the people of Donegal."

Betty said the group has also recently reprinted another 5,000 copies of its book, "Cancer – You Are Not Alone," making a total printing of 10,000 copies over three years.

"To the most important people of all, our cancer patients, we in Donegal Action for Cancer Care renew our commitment to you to work to ensure best quality care for you and access to world-class cancer services where possible at Letterkenny General Hospital," Betty said.
The DACC chairperson also credited the campaigning work of people who do not belong to DACC. "They too helped and have made a valuable contribution to this journey," she said.

The DACC chairperson said that four of the group's five original aims have been achieved, including the appointment of a full-time breast surgeon at Letterkenny General, the retention of breast cancer services at Letterkenny General, the construction of the new 70-bed accident and emergency unit in the hospital and the designation of funding for cancer patients and their families through the Travel to Care Project, administered through the Irish Cancer Society.

The aim they are still working to achieve is radiotherapy services, Betty said.

DACC is a voluntary organisation that was formed in April 2005 to campaign for cancer services on behalf of cancer patients, their relatives and carers. The group is led from a committee of representatives from local branches throughout the county.

DACC campaigns to ensure that Letterkenny General retains and develops its cancer services, and for Donegal patients, both public and private, to have equal and better access to those services.

New consultants for Letterkenny 25.0610
 

THE green-light has been given for the appointment of a number of specialist consultants to Letterkenny General Hospital, Deputy Niall Blaney has confirmed. He said Health Minister Mary Harney had informed him that an application has been submitted for the appointment of an endocrinologist/diabetologist with the post to be advertised in the coming months. Meanwhile, a haematologist, from overseas, is to be employed on an initial 12-month locum contract and is currently awaiting registration with the Irish Medical Council. Deputy Blaney has also been told that the potential for a podiatry service for the region is to be explored. I have been raising (constituents) concerns with Minister Harney for some time now, particularly through my role on the Dáil health committee. Minister Harney is aware of the pressing need for these appointments and I have been working with her to secure the positions for Letterkenny General Hospital, said Deputy Blaney
 

Courtesy of www.inishowennews.com

Cancer care Courtesy of Joe Mc Hugh TD Weekly newsletter Friday 11th June 2010
This week the Dáil developed legislation that will result in the closure of St. Luke’s Cancer Hospital in Dublin. Many Donegal cancer sufferers have received tremendous care at St. Luke’s over the years. Hopefully the new services at St. James’s Hospital will retain its qualities.

Last Wednesday I ( Joe) contributed to the Dáil debate:
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100609.xml&Node=H3&Page=7
 

Struggling hospitals 'most at risk of cuts'

• By Eilish O'Regan Tuesday May 11 2010 Courtesy of The Irish Independent

HOSPITAL emergency departments already struggling to cope with a shortage of junior doctors are most at risk of having to scale down their opening hours from July.

The stark warning was given by a senior medic last night after it emerged the Health Service Executive (HSE) is drawing up a contingency plan to scale down some A&E departments if it fails to find enough junior doctor staff.

Dr James Binchy, an emergency consultant in Galway, said those most at risk would be departments already short of staff. These include the emergency units in Naas General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Kerry General and Letterkenny General.The shortage of junior doctors is linked to a decision by more young medics to go abroad for training. There has been a reduction in posts recognised for training in hospitals here, which make them less attractive to many young medics.

€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.
The new three-storey medical block – with a new Emergency Department – will cost €22 million, the Post can reveal.
There are currently approximately 140 construction personnel involved on site activities with significant local labour and sub-contractors also employed.
Anyone passing by the hospital on the Kilmacrennan Road will have noticed the new block in recent weeks.
The multi-million euro building will incorporate an Emergency Department, Medical Assessment Unit, and three floors of 24-bedded medical wards.
The Medical Assessment Unit contains 11 beds including isolation facilities.
The total floor area of the development is approximately 6,600 square metres.
The development, which is the largest capital development currently in the western region of the HSE, also includes a new waste facility and mortuary chapel that have already been completed.
The Emergency Department will have 20 patient treatment spaces, which include major and minor treatment cubicles and rooms, plaster bays, resuscitation spaces and a dedicated x-ray room for the emergency department, which will reduce transfer times of patients, and thus decreasing treatment times.
It is designed to cater for approximately 42,000 new attendances per annum, while the current attendance rate is approximately 30,000 per annum.
When the contract for the works was signed, Sean Murphy, Manager, Letterkenny General Hospital, commented that the development “will effectively be a new hospital in Letterkenny.”
The main contractor is is Michael McNamara & Co Ltd

Please click on this link for view of new A& E www.letterkennypost.com/

Letterkenny's dramatic reduction in waiting lists

Published Date: 04 May 2010 By Staff reporter Courtesy of The Derry Journal

Dramatic reductions in patient waiting list times have been achieved in Letterkenny General as a result of the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Ms. Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children, has acknowledged the dramatic reductions in waiting times at Letterkenny General Hospital over the last two years.
Speaking at the launch of the 2009 National Treatment Purchase Fund Annual Report last week, Minister Harney noted the huge success of the NTPF which has, to date, treated 170,000 public patients and reduced median waiting .

To read full article please click on this link to the Derry Journal website

 www.derryjournal.com/inishowen/Letterkenny39s-dramatic-reduction-in-waiting.6269351.jp

LGH surgeons issue stark warning to GPs
By Harry Walsh Courtesy of Derry People Donegal news

FURTHER cutbacks in the health service this summer are expected to lead to more
and more patients waiting for joint replacements at Letterkenny General Hospital.
For full article please click on link to newspaper   www.nwipp-newspapers.com/DN/free/326720530648160.php

Deputy Blaney says more GPs are needed to avoid further hospital pressure

Posted: 11/Feb 11:27 Courtesy of www.highlandradio.com
Last Updated: 11/Feb 11:27

Deputy Niall Blaney, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on health has warned of longer hospital waiting lists and more pressure on emergency departments if GP training places are not expanded.Under the HSE’s Primary Care Strategy it is envisaged that local community care health facilities would meet up to 95% of patients needs thus taking pressure of the hospital system.

However Deputy Nial Blaney says that if this is to be achieved more GPs need to be trained up.

Killybegs Hospital praised by health inspectors

Published Date: 09 February 2010 Courtesy of The Donegal Democrat  By Staff reporter

An unannounced inspection of residential care provided at Killybegs Community Hospital has resulted in a glowing report all 'round. A team from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), which carried out the inspection in September, concluded that care provided at the facility is “of a high standard” and that the residents’ medical, nursing and other healthcare needs a re “being appropriately addressed”.
The inspectors also praised staff who all showed “a positive commitment to comply with the Health Act 2007” and evidence of good relations with the residents.
Interviews with residents and families were uniformly positive. “Without exception, residents told inspectors that they felt well cared for. One resident said: ‘I am very happy here and the staff are very good to me’.”
The cleanliness, excellent maintenance and décor of the centre also came in for praise, as did the food served to residents and the range of activities on offer to them.
Some improvements were suggested, including: scheduling regular fire drills; regulating the water temperature to prevent scalding and reviewing the ‘open door’ policy to ensure that residents with cognitive impairments would not be abel to leave the centre unescorted Welcoming the inspection report, John Hayes, HSE Donegal Local Health Manager said: “The Killybegs Community Hospital opened in 2001 and caters for up to 41 residents. It is a credit to all the staff in Killybegs to achieve such a positive report from an unannounced inspection.”
 

Top position for Carn born professor

Published Date: 26 January 2010 Courtesy of The Derry Journal

A Carndonagh born medic, Professor Cathal Kelly has taken up the role as CEO/Registrar of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) as Michael Horgan, who has been CEO/Registrar of the College for the past five years, retires.

A graduate and Fellow of the College, Professor Cathal Kelly has been a Consultant General and Vascular surgeon in Beaumont Hospital as well as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in the College since 2006. Under his leadership RCS I’s Graduate Entry Programme (GEP) in Medicine was the first in Ireland to be accredited by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). More recently, the Undergraduate Medical programme underwent its second quality assurance evaluation within three years. RCSI achieved standards of excellence in over 60% of the listed World Federation of Medical Education categories.

Cathal Kelly completed his basic and higher surgical training in Dublin and pursued a research Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA. Professor Kelly has continued his academic development and earlier this year was awarded a Master of Business Administration by Instituto de Empressa of Madrid.

Professor Kelly is married to Ruth and has three children, Mary Kate, Caroline and Charlie.

Professor Frank Keane, President, RCSI commented, “Cathal has demonstrated the kind of strategic and collaborative leadership skills needed to support the delivery of our vision to become one of Europe’s leading Biomedical Sciences Institute. I am confident that Cathal and his leadership team will have the commitment, energy, drive and passion to lead RCSI to many successes in the future.”

Professor Frank Keane, President, RCSI commented, “Cathal has demonstrated the kind of strategic and collaborative leadership skills needed to support the delivery of our vision to become one of Europe’s leading Biomedical Sciences Institute. I am confident that Cathal and his leadership team will have the commitment, energy, drive and passion to lead RCSI to many successes in the future.”

Professor Kelly is a native of Tiernaleague, Carndonagh.

McHugh – hundreds of acute 'bed days' lost to flawed system

Published Date: 26 January 2010 By Staff reporter Courtesy of The Donegal Democrat

Joe McHugh, Fine Gael TD, said yesterday that the loss of 554 acute bed days at Letterkenny General Hospital last year highlighted flaws in the government's system of health services management. In the same way, Sligo General Hospital lost 2,107 acute bed days last year, he said.

Deputy McHugh said the loss of bed days resulted from delays in discharging patients from acute beds. He explained that the hospitals had been unable to discharge patients from the acute-care beds because the government had not sourced places for those convalescent patients in nursing homes and respite centres. He said the delays were also affected by what he called the government's failure to facilitate the provision of proper care for those patients in their homes.

"This crisis is entirely of the government's making," Deputy McHugh said. He said that there are 1,800 unoccupied nursing home beds in Ireland, beds that he said would be ideal for convalescent and respite care, and would enable hospitals to free up acute-care hospital beds.
"The government must urgently instruct the Health Service Executive (HSE) to start contracting some of the 1,800 unoccupied nursing home beds to properly accommodate people ready for discharge from acute hospital beds, but who need long-stay care," Deputy McHugh said.
He said the government must also tender among those beds for places that offer physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services, "so that people can continue their recovery and ultimately come home."
Deputy McHugh said the government must also revisit its decision to cut carers' allowances.
"Many patients could be discharged from acute beds if they were to receive care in their own homes," he said. "The government must examine these proposals, because we cannot continue to lose beds in this manner."

Hospital urges visitor restrictions

Published Date: 21 January 2010 By Staff reporter

Letterkenny General Hospital is urging restrictions on hospital visitors due to the spread of the Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting virus. Yesterday the hospital requested people to continue to adhere to the visiting ban, with the only exception being the parents of ill children and partners of women in the maternity ward.
Visitors are asked to respect where visitor restrictions are in place and should note that security staff at the hospitals are ensuring the restrictions are adhered to. Visitors are also advised that they must use the alcohol gel supplied as they enter and leave the hospital.

Fears as Donegal Community hospital coffee dock closed

Published Date: 14 January 2010 By Staff reporter Courtesy of THe Donegal Democrat

The recent closure of the coffee dock at Donegal Community Hospital has caused concern among patients and their families. Several people, who do not wish to be named, contacted the Donegal Democrat this week expressing surprise and dismay at the loss of the facility.
One angry man commented: “The reason this facility was put in place was to enable patients and their families to have some refreshments when attending clinics at the hospital. No clinics are held at Killybegs Community Hospital so the people from Glencolumbkille, Carrick etc have to travel to Donegal, often leaving home very early in the morning, It was also of great benefit to the families of in-patients who often took their relatives to the Coffee Dock. It was seen as a social event for them which was very important, plus the HSE Staff also used the Coffee Dock on a regular basis.”
A spokesperson for the HSE said yesterday the reopening of the coffee dock has been deferred due to staffing difficulties. The spokesperson added: “It is hoped that these will be resolved shortly and the facility will be re-opened

Euro507,00 cash bonus for efficiency at LGH

Courtesy of Derrry People Donegal News Thursday 7th JAN.2010
LETTERKENNY General Hospital will receive a budget boost of just over half a million euro this year in recognition of its efficiency.
The money is provided under the HSE "casemix" system which penalises inefficient hospitals and redirects the money to those which are more efficient. Factors taken into account include the cost of treating patients with similar conditions in similar sized hospitals.
LGH is one of eight hospitals in the country which will receive between ¤500,00 and ¤1 million. The exact amount the hospital will receive is ¤507,869. The other hospitals in this category are Cork University Hospital which gets ¤989,531, Louth County Hospital ¤782,415, Waterford Regional Hospital ¤619,107, University College Hospital Galway ¤550,871, Cavan General Hospital ¤515,122, Rotunda Hospital 509,702, and the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital in Cork which gets ¤502,572.
By contrast to the financial boost for LGH Tallaght Hospital in Dublin is to have its budget cut by more than ¤2.6 million due to inefficiencies.
New figures published by the HSE this week showed that Tallaght Hospital was the worst-performing hospital under the system for the third year in a row.LETTERKENNY General Hospital will receive a budget boost of just over half a million euro this year in recognition of its efficiency. The money is provided under the HSE "casemix" system which penalises inefficient hospitals and redirects the money to those which are more efficient. Factors taken into account include the cost of treating patients with similar conditions in similar sized hospitals. LGH is one of eight hospitals in the country which will receive between ¤500,00 and ¤1 million. The exact amount the hospital will receive is ¤507,869. The other hospitals in this category are Cork University Hospital which gets ¤989,531, Louth County Hospital ¤782,415, Waterford Regional Hospital ¤619,107, University College Hospital Galway ¤550,871, Cavan General Hospital ¤515,122, Rotunda Hospital 509,702, and the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital in Cork which gets ¤502,572. By contrast to the financial boost for LGH Tallaght Hospital in Dublin is to have its budget cut by more than ¤2.6 million due to inefficiencies. New figures published by the HSE this week showed that Tallaght Hospital was the worst-performing hospital under the system for the third year in a row.

The other hospitals to be penalised most under the casemix system in 2010 include Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, which will have its budget cut by ¤1.79 million; Tullamore General Hospital which will have its budget slashed by ¤1.712 million; Limerick Regional, which will have its budget cut by ¤1.39 million and Loughlinstown hospital, Dublin, which has had its budget cut by ¤1.31 million. The only other hospital to have its budget cut by more than ¤1 million was Sligo General which faces a budget cut of ¤1.13 million. Overall nearly ¤14 million is being taken from 18 inefficient hospitals and redistributed among 21 efficient ones.

Best performers

The best-performing hospitals included Mullingar, Wexford, St James's Hospital, Dublin, St Luke's in Kilkenny and Mayo General. Mullingar hospital has been rewarded with ¤2.39 million. The HSE said the system aimed to redirect funds to hospitals which have demonstrated that additional funding will result in real benefits. "The budget adjustments which are based on hospital performances in 2008/09 are a reflection of each hospital's true performance against their peers taking account of each hospital's unique mix of cases and differing complexities. "Hospitals are not penalised for long-stay patients, neither are they rewarded for discharging patients too early. "The system is designed to take account of each hospital's unique issues and unique patients. As the HSE moves forward with plans for ever more evidence-based management, it is expected that casemix will play more of a central role in acute hospital funding and management practices," a HSE spokesperson said.

A tale of two hospitals . . .Victory in Letterkenny, defeat in Sligo

Published Date: 05 January 2010 By Staff reporter Courtesy of The Donegal Democrat

Over the past year the provision of Cancer Services has been very much in the media spotlight with the rationalisation of the health services and the subsequent creation of eight Centres of Excellence specialising in Cancer treatment. Alarm bells rang when it transpired that all these Centres of Excellence were located south of a line from Galway to Dublin and Donegal and indeed the entire North West was being left in isolation.
Concerted campaigns were undertaken by both the D ACC and Save our Cancer Services in both Donegal and Sligo highlighting this anomaly with marchers taking to the streets and lobbyists canvassing politicians, medical practitioners and anyone who could exert any influence on this crucial situation.
Feelings were running high especially in South and West Donegal which resulted in two prominent Fianna Fail politicians, former junior Minister Jimmy Devins and Eugene Scanlon resigning the party whip and a particularly poor election outcome in the Local Elections in June.
The campaigners from the DACC led a quieter but most effective campaign utilising face-to-face meetings with the decision makers which eventually ensured a first class cancer service at Letterkenny General Hospital.

Betty Holmes of the DACC said, “When we heard about plans to rationalise the Health Service we new it was time to act.
“There was no point in sitting back waiting for bad it news, it was time to be pro-active.
“In 2007, we succeeding in persuading the Minister of Health to recognise ‘the unique geographic location of Donegal” and she made Letterkenny General Hospital (LGH) a satellite unit of University Hospital Galway (UCHG)

“As far as I am concerned this makes us, in effect, a Centre of Excellence for not only Donegal but the whole North West.
“We have a first class Cancer Unit in the hospital now which includes diagnostics, Surgery, Chemotherapy and a full multi-disciplanaty team with a satellite link-up to Galway.
“This provides the opportunity for consultants to further review and discuss the overall welfare of the patients and recommended procedures can be carried out here in Donegal.”
Having achieved this Donegal on Sunday asked Ms. Holmes “Where to now and do you feel that you have achieved all you set out to do?”

“We have a lot done but still more to do” she said. “We have put a proposal to Tony O’Brien the CEO of Breastcheck that when Breastcheck was rolled out in Donegal that patients should be referred to Letterkenny.

“This service has been in Donegal now since early September and we will be urging Mr. O’Brien to consider this situation with urgency. We have a state-of-the art Breast Cancer unit in LGH and cannot see the rationale of referring suffering patients to UCGH.

“This just adds up to inhumane treatment of people who are in severe pain and who physically and mentally are unable to undergo a journey of up to ten hours.

“After a lot of persuasion Professor Tom Keane did come and visit LGH and he was extremely impressed with the facility. So much so that we have now received recognition from Mr.Keane.