I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 783 together.
A comprehensive symptomatic breast cancer service is provided to patients in the West/North West region at the Symptomatic Breast Unit in Galway University Hospital and the satellite service in Letterkenny General Hospital.
The satellite service in Letterkenny was established arising from the particular geographic circumstances applying in Donegal. It has been the practice to offer appointments to patients from other counties in the Saolta Hospital Group region in Galway and this has worked well since the re-organisation of symptomatic breast care services several years ago. The service in Letterkenny is augmented by surgeons who are based in Galway travelling to Letterkenny General Hospital periodically to carry out clinics there.
The centralising of triaging of breast cancer referrals for the entire Saolta Group to Galway University Hospital, which commenced in May this year, is consistent with providing a uniform service to patients across the Saolta Hospital Group. This approach will not impact on the long-term sustainability of breast cancer services at Letterkenny General Hospital.