DACC aim of meeting &questions for meeting with Mr. Alan Moran, HSE West & Mr Sean Murphy Hospital Manager LGH on Friday 14^th March at 2pm in LGH.

               Letterkenny General Hospital

A Centre of Excellence

Letterkenny General Hospital & the HSE.

Developing a partnership approach to health care in Letterkenny on a Cross Border basis serving the

North West.

Aim of meeting :

• To obtain answers and updates to questions.

• To secure support and put structures in place with LGH to develop a proposal for Letterkenny General Hospital as a Centre of Excellence.

• DACC questions for meeting with Mr. Alan Moran, HSE West & Mr Sean Murphy Hospital Manager LGH on Friday 14^th March at 2pm in LGH.

CAWT Feasibility Study

We are told by you on 15^th Nov. 07 that the feasibility study was “just getting underway” would now appear to be at an advanced stage.

• What is happening?
• At what stage is it at?
• Why have we not been consulted?

Colorectal Surgeon

• When will this post be filled at LGH?
• What is the start date?

Letterkenny General Hospital

• What is LGH doing for itself? Plans, proposals, submissions.
• Is LGH prepared to develop the proposal for a Centre of Excellence with support from DACC?
• If not, why not?

Isotopes Machine

When we met with you on the 22^nd June 07 we asked about the Isotopes Machine, we were told that this was planned to be in place within 12 months and the team had been set up.

• At what stage is this project at?
• Is it on schedule?
• Who is on the team?
• Are developments like the Isotopes Machine for Letterkenny General Hospital being held back on, in favour of resources being put into Alnagelvin Hospital?

Breast Surgeon

Our new Breast Surgeon is coming in July.

• What are Letterkenny General Hospital and the HSE West doing to ensure that he stays in Letterkenny?
• Has he signed his contract?

Health Forum

• When will this be set up? Date/ Time frame...
• Who will sit on this forum?

Locum Haematologist

• When will his post be made permanent?

Euro Car Parks

• What income is generated for LGH from Euro Car Parks. Is it a percentage or fixed amount?
• What is this income spent on?

€300 Million to be returned

• What impact will this have on services at LGH?

DACC once again would like to acknowledge the excellent services at LGH and to thank

Mr Alan Moran & Mr Sean Murphy for taking time from their busy schedules to meet with us.

Go Raibth Maith Agat

     Donegal Action for Cancer Care

                        “Equal Access for Equal Need”

Questions for Mr Sean Murphy, General Manager, Letterkenny General Hospital at meeting with him on the 5^th Feb.08 at LGH.

• A copy of the last submission made by Letterkenny General Hospital for cancer services was requested, can we now have that copy?
• What is the update on the Breast Surgeon recruitment?
•    Has he signed his contract?
•    What is the official start date?
• What is the update on the recruitment of the Colerectal Surgeon, now that the recruitment freeze has been lifted?
• Can you tell us how many consultants are at LGH for each of the following disciplines? List attached.
• What is the current situation with the Lab Pharmicist ( Chemo)
• What has happened to the staff that was recruited to deliver Breast Check in Donegal and was receiving training so they could deliver the service between March-June 08?
• €150,000 was received by LGH from Breast Check for refurbishing work at the nurse’s home. Why would Breast Check give this funding?
• Regarding Breast Check we have been told that it “would be inappropriate to send all mammograms to Galway, so therefore Donegal will have screening and delivering of the assessment locally”. ( Mr Tony O’ Brien, CEO, Breastcheck)
•    Where is locally?
• Why is Letterkenny General Hospital not calling for radiation at LGH?
• Why are you reluctant to build on the “excellent services” you told us it is so important to promote?
• How much money has been invested in Letterkenny General Hospital be the people of Donegal through fundraising and voluntary donations?
• How many pieces of equipment have been purchased by the people of Donegal for Letterkenny General Hospital? 

It is important to remember that we are doing this not only for ourselves, the people of Donegal but very clearly for Letterkenny General Hospital.

DONEGAL ACTION FOR CANCER CARE

“Equal Access for Equal Need”

Questions for meeting with Mr Alan Moran HSE on Thursday 15^th November 2007 at Letterkenny General Hospital.

No1: Permanent Breast Surgeon.

• a) Can you give us written confirmation that the new Breast Surgeon has signed his/her contract?
• b) Can you give us confirmation in writing of the start date of the new Breast Surgeon?
• c) Can you confirm for us that he/she will be based/located in Letterkenny General Hospital and not in Galway and travel to Letterkenny on an outreach basis?
• d) Please clarify the meaning of “OUTREACH”?
• e) Can you specify what specific services will be available through Outreach?

• No 2: Breast Services.

• Can you outline for us the services the new Breast Surgeon will provide to Letterkenny General Hospital?

• No 3: BREAST CHECK.

• Can you give a current update on the recruitment process for Donegal.

• No 4:RADIOTHERAPHY SERVICES

 :The politicians have now met regarding cross border services, are there any further developments or plans in relation to this?

No 5:COLORECTAL SURGEON

• At what stage in the recruitment process is the Colorectal Surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital?

• No 6:PRIVATE HOSPITAL

• What Cancer Services will the private hospital provide and will these be complimentary to the existing Cancer Services at Letterkenny General Hospital.?

• DACC wishes to place on record its appreciation of the great work being done by the Cancer Services at Letterkenny General Hospital. We wish to acknowledge the care and co-operation shown to us by the management during the process of meetings and dealings with them.

We wish to assure you all of our continuing support in your efforts to provide excellent cancer services for the people of Donegal at Letterkenny General Hospital.

DACC Questions to the 6 Donegal TD’s in Dail Eireann on 24^th Oct 07.

No 1 Breast Surgeon:

(a) : Confirmation in writing confirming the the start date of the new Breast Surgeon and will he/she be based/located in Letterkenny General Hospital and not in Galway and travel to Letterkenny on an outreach basis.

(b) Please clarify what OUTREACH means.

(This is a major fear at the moment as the Breast Surgeon will be taking up their post one year after being recruited at a time when Minister Mary Harney will be conducting a review of cancer services in January 08. With Letterkenny now named as an outreach this urgently needs to be clarified).

No 2: What services will the new Breast Surgeon provide to Letterkenny General Hospital?

No 3: Breast Check:

(a) Exact date when the service will be available in Donegal?

(b) How often will the service be available in Donegal?

No4: Long overdue meeting with Minister Mary Harney be sought and date confirmed asap.

 (This meeting had been promised and offered by Minister Harney in Letterkenny in May 06. Minister Harney had promised the meeting for Oct 6 .This did not happen. When she came to Donegal in April an urgent meeting was requested. At that time she said she could not meet.)

No5: Answers to questions given to An Taoisaech at meeting in Letterkenny General Hospital on the 29th March 07.(The Taoiseach acknowledged the work of DACC at that time and undertook to come back with answers to our questions)

No6: At what stage in the recruitment process is the Colorectal Surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital?

DACC Questions to Minister Mary Harney in Dail Eireann on 13^th November 07 for written response as a matter of urgency

No 1 Breast Surgeon:

• : Confirmation in writing that the new Breast Surgeon has signed his/her contract.
• Confirmation in writing of the start date of the new Breast Surgeon.
• Confirmation in writing that he/she will be based/located in Letterkenny General Hospital and not in Galway and travel to Letterkenny on an outreach basis.

  (d) Please clarify what OUTREACH means.

No 2: What services will the new Breast Surgeon provide to Letterkenny General Hospital?

No 3: Breast Check:

(a) Exact date when the service will be available in Donegal?

(b) How often will the service be available in Donegal?

No 4: Answers to questions given to An Taoisaech at meeting in Letterkenny General Hospital on the 29th March 07

No 5: At what stage in the recruitment process is the Colorectal Surgeon for Letterkenny General Hospital.

DACC Questions to Niall Blaney TD 28^TH September 07, meeting was requested by Mr Blaney.

No 1:Confirmation in writing that the new Breast Surgeon will be based/located in Letterkenny General Hospital and not in Galway and travel to Letterkenny on an outreach basis.

(This is a major fear at the moment as the Breast Surgon will be taking up their post one year after being recruited at a time when Minister Mary Harney will be conducting a review of cancer services in January 08. With Letterkenny now named as an outreach this urgently needs to be clarified).

No2: Long overdue meeting with Minister Mary Harney be sought and date confirmed asap.

 (This meeting had ben promised and offered by Minister Harney in Letterkenny in May 06. Minister Harney had promised the meeting for Oct 6 This did not happen. When she came to Donegal in April an urgent meeting was requested. At that time she said she could not meet. This was followed up with Minster Harney through Minister Pat Gallagher saying she would meet with DACC soon and Minidter Gallagher had felt that would be around Easter).

No3: Answers to questions given to An Taoisaech at meeting in Letterkenny General Hospital on the 29th March 07.

(The Taoiseach acknowledged the work of DACC at that time and undertook to come back with answers to our questions at that time) 

   Donegal Action for Cancer Care

“Equal Access for Equal Need”

Questions for Doctors meeting with DACC on Monday 11^th September 06 in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.

• Is there a definite deadline for the appointment of the permanent Breast Surgeon to Letterkenny General Hospital?
• What is the plan for radiation patients from Donegal is it Dublin, Belfast, Galway or nearer home?
• When is Breast Check coming to the North West? The South already had 3 rounds and we have had none
• When will Scetinal Node Biopsy be available in Letterkenny General Hospital?
• Could waiting time for non suspicious referrals be made shorter by having weekend clinics, say a Saturday when doctors are generally in the hospital ?
• Are there plans to provide all Breast Cancer Diagnostic Services on one floor, as is already the practice in other hospitals? 

                                Donegal Action for Cancer Care

  “Equal Access for Equal Need”

These questions are to be asked to the doctor’s at the County Committee meeting on Thursday 13^th July 06 by the Sub Committee.

•   (1)   What was in proposal that LGH put forward to Galway

    (2)   What was Galway’s response to this?

    (3)  How long will it take to finalise?

   (4)  When are they going to stop phasing out?

• When is Letterkenny getting its Radiation Centre?

    Donegal Action for Cancer Care

“ Equal Access for Equal Need”

Questions asked at our meeting with Mr Alan Moran, HSE 22-06-07

 Permanent Breast Surgeon:

1 (a) What is the position regarding the Breast Surgeon?

 (b) What qualifications will the breast Surgeon have?

• (c) What services will this consultant be able to provide for cancer patients in Donegal?
• (d) How many days per week will this Surgeon be based in Letterkenny General Hospital?

Locum Breast Surgeon:

2 (a) What is the position regarding the Locum Breast Surgeon?

 (b) What qualifications will the Locum Surgeon have?

  (c) What services will this consultant be able to provide for cancer

     patients in Donegal?  

  (d) Will this Locum continue to deliver current referral and clinical

     procedures as provided by the Breast Surgeon at present?

Breast Check

• 3 (a) What month of the 3^rd quarter will Breast Check arrive in Donegal as stated by you at our meeting in September 06?
•   (b) What proposals are in place to reduce the current waiting list of over 2 years for a general mammogram in Letterkenny General Hospital?

Radiotherapy Services

• 4 (a) What future plans has the HSE Western Area Region for the provision of Radiotherapy Services for the people of Donegal?

    (b) Is funding set aside in this years November budget for the

       provision of Radiotherapy Services?

New Beds

• 5  (a) At what stage is the new A& E with the new 30 beds?

      (b)When will the short stay beds be open full time?

  The Oncology- Haematology Unit

6  (a) We are aware that the new Oncology- Haematology Unit is being used for the overflow of patients. This is a deplorable and unacceptable situation. Can you assure us that this will be resolved immediately?

   (b) What proposals and time frames are in place to resolve this?

   (c) What proposals and funding is in place to upgrade the oncology day unit? Time frame?

 Current Cancer Service

  7  (a) What cancer services are currently available in Donegal?  

      (b) What funding is available to deliver this?

      (c) What funding is set aside for long term cancer services in?

         Donegal? 

 8 (a) What working groups are the HSE Western Region involved

        in regarding the development of cancer services in Donegal?

       (b) Would you know if cancer services are on the agenda of

          Co-operation and Working Together meetings? 

         If not would you urge that it would become a live issue on

         the CAWT agenda?       

   8 (c) DACC respectfully request that they be included in any 

       working groups involved in the development of cancer     .    

        services for Donegal.

   9  At our meeting with Minister Harney and the HSE in May

      06, Minister Harney gave clear instruction to you that

      transport provisions for cancer patients and their families

       should be put in place immediately.

      What progress has the HSE Western Region made with this

       to date?

    10 What plans are in place for the purchase of a Nuclear Medicine

      Isotopes machine?   Time frame?

    11 (a) Having concerns regarding the present position, is there any

        plans in place for the up-skilling of physiotherapists who will

        then be in a position to deliver Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

        Time frame?

      (b) If a person is trained up within the HSE Western Region to

         provide Lymphatic Drainage Massage would the HSE Western

         Region create a full time post to deliver this service within

         Letterkenny General Hospital? 

• 12 When will a Colorectal Surgeon be appointed to Letterkenny General Hospital?
• 13 Will the proposed private hospital provide cancer services and can you outline what these services will be?

• 14 With the loss of revenue from private patients, what impact will this have on Letterkenny General Hospital budget?      

•  15 (a) How many cancer patients have availed of cancer services in Belfast?

•  (b) What provisions are in place regarding funding, transport and accommodation for these patients and their families

• We find that patients have to wait long periods for the issuing of prescriptions and we wonder can you develop a strategy for speeding up this process?

 Donegal Action for Cancer Care

“Equal Access for Equal Need”

Questions for Mr Enda Kenny, The Party Leader, Fine Gael at meeting with DACC in Buncrana on Friday 18^th May 07.

1) What are your future plans for the provision of Radiotherapy Services for the people of Donegal?  Money/ Timelines?

2) Where in the North West will the cancer care unit be that is promised in Donegal North- East’s literature?

(b) How do you view a dedicated cancer care unit?

3) Can you as the new Taoiseach confirm that the process for the new Breast Surgeon will be given your top priority?

4) We understand that Breast Check which was originally promised for the end of 2007 for Donegal is now put back to 2011. Can you through your good offices get the service brought to Donegal on the original promised date?

5) What priority is given to Donegal regarding Cancer Service Provision through the North/ South Ministerial Council?

6) How many of the 2300 permanent beds are earmarked for Letterkenny General Hospital?

7) What support will your Government and the HSE give to the development of a Community Healthcare Screening Initiative for Donegal?

8) At our meeting with you on 6^th October 06 and our meeting with Dr Liam Twomey on 24^th April 06, you both clearly stated that the voice of DACC would be included in “round table” talks regarding cancer service provision in the North West.

9)Can you reassure us that it is still your intention to include DACC in these “round table” talks?      

DACC appreciates the time given by Mr Enda Kenny, to listen to our concerns, not withstanding his busy schedule. We look forward to bringing Mr Kenny’s answers back to cancer sufferers and carers in Donegal. We wish to acknowledge the ongoing support of Mr Joe Mc Hugh and Mr Dinny Mc Ginley.  

Go Raibh Maith Agat.

Donegal Action for Cancer Care

“ Equal Access for Equal Need”

Questions asked to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern at our meeting with him 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. and Mr Terry Mc Niff in helping us secure this meeting. Go Raibh Maith Agat.