Vol. 512 No. 2
120 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a full-time consultant dealing specifically with breast cancer in Mayo General Hospital; and the number of full-time consultants employed in Galway specifically dedicated to breast cancer screening and treatment. [25697/99]
The provision of services is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance. There are three consultant general surgeons at Mayo General Hospital all of whom are appropriately trained in respect of breast cancer services. The hospital provides a specialist breast clinic twice a month.
There are four consultant general surgeons at University College Hospital, Galway, who are similarly trained and skilled. One of these surgeons has a special interest in breast cancer research and treatment as a diagnostic service. Breast screening has not as yet been introduced in the board's area. There is a dedicated breast clinic held once a week and there is also a dedicated mammography service. A minimally invasive breast biopsy machine has recently been presented and installed at UCHG and staff are currently being trained.
