Donegal Action for Cancer Care is calling on the Minister for Health not to cut health services in Donegal as the government seeks to save €100m from the National Children’s Hospital overspend.
The local campaign group has written to an Taoiseach, the Minister for Health, Minister Joe McHugh and local Deputies and Senators on the issue.
The DACC message to politicians stated that a hit list of cuts must not impact on any Donegal Health Services or projects.
“We wish you all to be very clear that the list of projects that can be scaled back or delayed must not be to any of Donegal’ss health services, hospitals or community services,” the DACC said.
Significant changes are expected to be made in government departments this year to make up for the €450m National Children Hospital project overrun. The savings will be spread across most departments to ensure the €1.7bn hospital project can go ahead.
DACC spokesperson Betty Holmes said: “For us in DACC we have been working tirelessly for 14 years, trying our hardest to ensure that key health services for Donegal cancer patients and other patients are protected, retained and developed.
“We have seen first-hand how there is no real interest or commitment to Donegal hospitals and health services at local, Regional or National level.”
Ms Holmes said the Dublin location of the hospital does not reflect the health and travel needs of sick children and their families across Ireland.
The group created a map in 2015 showing the Centres of Excellence in Ireland and the driving distance required to reach them from Donegal. Ms Holmes said DACC will show an updated map to the Government and Minister for Health at a scheduled meeting in March. “We are not going away,” she warned.
Donegal Action for Cancer Care
