The HSE has dismissed rumours that cancer services at University Hospital Galway are under threat because of budget pressures. The suggestions were made after a leaked internal letter was quoted in a newspaper but this letter was only meant as a discussion paper, the HSE has explained.
Speaking on local radio Chris Kane, regional co-ordinator for the Western Hospital Group, said there were absolutely no plans to curtail cancer services in Galway and confirmed that the centre of excellence for cancer treatment at UHG is going ahead.
Ms Kane said: “Every hospital has to live within budget. In the case of Galway University Hospital, this would mean less overtime, fewer locums, and getting tough on absenteeism.
“We may be curtailing elective surgery, but vital front line and emergency services will be protected. The leaked internal letter quoted in today’s newspapers was a discussion paper only. It was never agreed.
“I would like to repeat that cancer services are not being cut and, in fact, we have got €2.2m in additional funding for cancer services in the west this year,” said Ms Kane.
