The HSE has designated four managed cancer control networks (coterminous with the four HSE administrative regions) and eight cancer centres nationally. The two designated cancer centres in the HSE Western Region are University College Hospital Galway and Limerick Regional Hospital.
However, it is fully recognised that there are particular and unique geographical circumstances applying to Donegal. This is reflected in North-South co-operation in the provision of radiation oncology to patients from Donegal at Belfast City Hospital. On a sole exception basis, the Managed Cancer Control Network in the West will therefore be permitted to enter into outreach service delivery in Letterkenny as an additional activity. This exception is subject to quality assurance criteria and also to the proviso that the potential to meet the needs of cancer patients in Donegal through North-South initiatives, such as the Belfast radiation oncology service must be optimised and fully facilitated.
The HSE has decided that breast services at Letterkenny General Hospital should be delivered as part of the services at University College Hospital Galway. A breast service clinical network is currently operating between Letterkenny and Galway. The service includes weekly meetings of combined multi-disciplinary teams, facilitated by telemedicine.