I am happy to acknowledge the presence of the Minister for Health and Children to answer this matter.
There is serious concern in County Kerry about the rumoured downgrading of the breast cancer clinic at Tralee General Hospital. This concern results from a report by Professor Niall O'Higgins which recommends the creation of a number of specialised breast cancer treatment centres throughout the country. It is feared that Cork University Hospital will become the treatment centre for Kerry patients. The development of breast cancer centres is highly desirable but not to the detriment of services at Tralee General Hospital.
Since the breast cancer clinic was established in Tralee in the early 90s it has provided excellent treatment for 50 patients, on average, every year. The numbers, unfortunately, are growing. These people have, in general, done better than patients at other centres. The back-up services including mammogram X-rays, breast care nursing and physiotherapy are of the highest standard. In addition there is an oncology ward where patients may complete their chemotherapy.
More than 500 women are screened ever year for breast cancer in Tralee General Hospital and up to 50 patients undergo treatment, with very positive results. The inconvenience which would be involved for many patients travelling long distances from places such as Ballydavid, Valentia or Tarbert to attend clinics in Cork or Dublin is so prohibitive that some women may delay seeking advice and diagnosis and leave it too late for effective treatment.
The Department of Health and Children should develop a nationwide protocol for the treatment of breast cancer combined with video conferencing and computer link-ups, which would enable each centre to provide the optimum treatment for each patient. I understand the specialist group which was set up to develop breast cancer services met with the Southern Health Board but did not meet any of the women who were successfully treated in Tralee General Hospital. This is a source of regret to many of the women who could have outlined the case for Tralee General Hospital. Any of these women could have made a constructive contribution to the expert group.
The prospect of travelling to Cork for treatment is a source of considerable distress for many women. When your life is under threat from this dreadful disease you need not only the best medical care available but also the support of family and friends, and not the extra trauma of isolation far from home. Kerry women want the option of staying close to their families and friends and they have absolute confidence in the treatment facilities and the medical personnel at Tralee General Hospital.
I quote an extract from correspondence sent to the Minister and which I received recently. This letter from a woman who experienced breast cancer reinforces my argument that the services in Tralee should not only be retained but expanded. She writes:
In my place of work, from a workforce of 100, I and two of my colleagues have suffered from breast cancer over an 11 month period. So, unfortunately, I have intimate experience of the physical and psychological trauma endured by sufferers. The breast clinic at Tralee General Hospital has been constantly there for me and I credit it and the wonderful people who work there as my saviours.
I speak for all Kerry people when I call on the Minister to provide extra funding to enable the services to be expanded at the breast cancer clinic at Tralee General Hospital and not to downgrade it. I make this appeal on behalf of the victims of this deadly disease which, unfortunately, appears to be on the increase.