Due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive, it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested by the Deputy in regard to the delivery of services. However, I can state that Breast cancer diagnosis and surgery was transferred from Sligo General Hospital to University Hospital Galway (UHG) in August 2009. The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) intends to continue the provision of follow-up mammography services in Sligo so that women in Sligo will not need to travel to Galway for these services.
The establishment of an outreach service in Sligo requires a radiographer to travel from UHG to undertake the follow-up mammography. The commencement of this service has been delayed. The waiting list for the service was cleared by BreastCheck staff in February who linked with the symptomatic service in UHG. The HSE are working to put arrangements in place for follow-up mammography in Sligo.