A Mayo cancer patient who has been waiting months for vital surgery was devastated to learn this week that her wait will be increased by at least another month.
The theatre used by the urology section of University Hospital Galway is to be closed for four weeks, meaning cancer patients cannot receive life saving surgery.
The Mayo patient and her GP have made representations to Ballina TD Michelle Mulherin, who in turn has discussed the situation with the Health Minister Dr James Reilly.
“This lady has been waiting five months,” Deputy Mulherin told the Mayo Advertiser. “This is an unacceptable service from a centre of excellence for cancer treatment and the Minister agreed when I raised it in Dáil today. The Minister has agreed to address this situation immediately with the HSE.”
Deputy Mulherin is concerned that the woman in question, who has been waiting for surgery since February, has been given no date, now the theatre is going to be closed for a month and the woman is still waiting. Dep Mulherin, through her representations, was also dismayed to learn that there is a waiting list in place for this type of surgery.
She pointed out to the Mayo Advertiser that service level agreements exist between hospitals and the HSE and they receive funding from the HSE, yet patients are being forced to wait months for life saving treatments and surgeries.
The consultant involved in this case is also on holidays this week but when he returns there will be no support staff at his disposal so the surgery cannot take place.
