Donegal Action for Cancer Care has warmly welcomed news that the second breast surgeon post has been made permanent for Letterkenny University Hospital.
The reaction comes following yesterday’s confirmation from Minister Joe McHugh that recruitment is underway to deliver the much-needed post.
Local cancer care campaign group members have greeted the announcement as a ‘A day to celebrate’, while promising to continue their efforts for the improvement of all care services.
“This is great news and for us in DACC we have worked so very hard to secure this permanent post,” said campaigner Betty Holmes.
“When the Locum post was announced in 2017 we were very upset as at that time we felt it should have been permanent. The needs of patients in Donegal must always be to the fore and we are glad that the recruitment process is underway.”
The primary aim of DACC is to ensure the people of Donegal have access to world-class cancer services whilst ensuring the retention and development of all cancer services at Letterkenny University Hospital.
Ms Holmes explained: “We initially started to campaign for a 2nd Breast Surgeon back in Sept. 2009 when we met with Prof. Tom Keane. Prof. Keane at that time said that it needed to meet the National Guidelines.
“Indeed DACC had this permanent post as one of our 5 list of priorities in 2009 and have kept this actively on our agenda right through till March this year 2019 when we met with the Minister for Health and key health officials at Leinster House on the 6th March.
“10 years we have kept the pressure on, that’s how long it has taken and we are proud of our ongoing work.”
Ms Holmes said that the campaign group will now focus their attention on another top priority – men’s healthcare.
She said: “Our work will continue as there is still much to do with particular attention to the importance of having a prostate rapid access clinic at Letterkenny University Hospital so Donegal men don’t have to travel to Galway.”
“DACC are in existence 14 years now, are all voluntary and unpaid for all the work we do. And we are proud of that work.”
Ms Holmes said that the group will hold onto this valuable quote from Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
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