The number of patients availing of breast care services annually at University Hospital Galway has almost doubled in the past four years.
There were 4,739 patients recorded for 2004 compared with 8,132 in 2008, according to a spokesperson for the HSE West.
The comments come in the wake of the official opening of the symptomatic breast unit at the regional hospital by Health Minister Mary Harney recently.
All urgent patients are seen within a two week target time while non-urgent patients are seen within the 12 week target time.
“Five years ago there was a considerable waiting list for breast care services at Galway University Hospitals; the waiting list has been eliminated and all urgent patients are now being seen within two weeks.”
There has been a dramatic improvement in the therapeutic care of breast cancer in Ireland in the past 10 years, the HSE outlines.
“Diagnosis is now completed in a minimally invasive fashion and the majority of patients who require breast surgery have breast conservation. Of those who require mastectomy, 70 per cent have an immediate reconstruction. The radiotherapy development and oncology services available at Galway University Hospitals now provide every component of state-of-the-art breast cancer treatments.”
Commenting on the opening Bridget Howley, general manager of Galway University Hospitals, said the development of the symptomatic breast unit ensures local women have access to high quality breast care and an opportunity for the best outcome.
“The transition and expansion of the breast service is only accomplished through change in work practices. I would like to acknowledge the commitment and work of the symptomatic breast teams and the National Cancer Control Programme in the development of this service and the National Breast Cancer Research Institute for their ongoing support. The designated breast care service at Galway University Hospitals makes a significant advance in the implementation of the national cancer control programme for the HSE West.”
Professor Michael Kerin, consultant breast surgeon, stated these new developments position GUH at the centre of the National Cancer Strategy.
“They will enable us to move to the next stage of development as a major national/international unit for research and treatment of breast cancer. Taken in conjunction with other major developments in the national cancer control programme we can now achieve international class outcomes for patients from the west of Ireland.”
A spokesperson for the HSE West said during the past five years the breast care management service at GUH has expanded rapidly as part of the national cancer strategy set out by the National Cancer Control Programme.
“Additional staff have been recruited, a purpose built symptomatic breast unit was opened in June last year and developments in medical oncology and radiation oncology means that all therapies related to breast cancer can be delivered at the hospital thus providing the optimal care for patients.”
The multidisciplinary team involved in breast care management at GUH includes five consultant surgeons, five radiologists, four pathologists, five breast care nurses and other health professionals trained in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer.
The delivery of therapies at GUH is done on a regional basis with multidisciplinary teleconferencing allowing patients with breast cancer from the region to be managed by a team of professionals with access to chemotherapy in their local hospital. There is a satellite symptomatic breast unit from Galway at Letterkenny General Hospital.
“In November 2008 the Mayo symptomatic breast service was transferred to Galway University Hospitals. This was accomplished in a seamless manner with very positive feedback from patients and their GPs.”
