Should Sligo General Hospital Retain its Breast Cancer Service?

Cypresstree

A poll?

Sniipe

I voted no because I think this part of the centers of excellence centralisation?

People from sligo will vote yes, this poll should be in a different forum.
Questions I would have:
How many centeres of excellences are there?
What is the population of Ireland? Are we one of the most sparcely populated countries?
Does Sligo have have cancer care facilities such as a hospice?

Cypresstree

http://www.sligocentre.net/

Mint Sauce

yes yes yes yes yes yes.............

people from donegal, leitrem, cavan, sligo and other parts of the NW, already have far enough to travel for other cancer services, with out this, think its a disgrace that a large area of the country, with alot lot of it not that acessable has that travel so far for cancer treetment

it actually makes me angry, so going to try and not get too involved in this subject,

sorry

:mad:

YeatsCounty

Sniipe wrote: »

I voted no because I think this part of the centers of excellence centralisation?

Cheers for voting no, even though you aren't sure what the poll is about. Most helpful.

Sniipe wrote: »

People from sligo will vote yes, this poll should be in a different forum.

It directly effects Sligo and many people living in the North West. This forum (or the North west forum as a whole) is the perfect place for such a poll.

Sniipe wrote: »

Questions I would have:
How many centeres of excellences are there?

None above the Galway - Dublin line. That's the important issue.

Sniipe wrote: »

What is the population of Ireland? Are we one of the most sparcely populated countries?

Does it matter? Should a person from Donegal who is suffering from cancer hav to travel to Galway for treatment, or should they have the choice to go to Sligo General (or a local hospital, if it was available)?

Big_Mac

Sniipe wrote: »

I voted no because I think this part of the centers of excellence centralisation?

People from sligo will vote yes, this poll should be in a different forum.

It is part of the moneysaving scheme. Hardly a center of excellence if you have to travel three or four hours for cancer treatment when your already sick.... That would brighten your day

Sniipe wrote: »

What is the population of Ireland? Are we one of the most sparcely populated countries?

What has this got to do with cancer treatment at a local hospital?

Sniipe wrote: »

Does Sligo have have cancer care facilities such as a hospice?

You do know that a hospice is for terminally ill people?

sobriquet

Crap, I just voted no, didn't mean to. I suppose it's appropriate enough, I'm somewhat torn. Both of my parents were treated in SGH (and farther afield) for their cancers over the past few years so I'm biased. Emotionally I feel completely indebted and attached to the staff and care providers there. Nevertheless, intellectually I do see the argument that resources are finite, and for something that needs such close attention and expertise that consolidation might be the right move. Not necessarily across the board though; that nothing exists above the line from Galway to Dublin does seem ridiculous.

Mint Sauce

granted, the population may be less in the NW, but what there is is more spread out and with not great links have further to travel for services, just to get to sligo for parts of north and NW donegal is an at least 2hr drive, posible up to three with road infrastructure

surly this needs to be taken into consideration when providing these services

JoeyJJ

Voted No but not going to go into my reasons...

magnumlady

irish-stew wrote: »

yes yes yes yes yes yes.............

people from donegal, leitrem, cavan, sligo and other parts of the NW, already have far enough to travel for other cancer services, with out this, think its a disgrace that a large area of the country, with alot lot of it not that acessable has that travel so far for cancer treetment

it actually makes me angry, so going to try and not get too involved in this subject,

sorry

:mad:

same here

DenMan

From a care point of view I would say yes, most definitely. However from an economical position it cannot be maintained. The population just isn't there and the costs of maintaining it are just immense. It's not viable to have it here when there are services in Galway and I believe Donegal. Very hard on the local people here but unsustainable. Very sad situation for the Sligo General Hospital.

Mint Sauce

DenMan wrote: »

From a care point of view I would say yes, most definitely. However from an economical position it cannot be maintained. The population just isn't there and the costs of maintaining it are just immense. It's not viable to have it here when there are services in Galway and I believe Donegal. Very hard on the local people here but unsustainable. Very sad situation for the Sligo General Hospital.

donegal has some chemo care, mostly day services patients from memory, and a hospice, both in letterkenny, but alot of people, depending on their severty, still have to travel as far as galway and dublin, anyone requiring radium, has to travel as well

the population may not be there as you said denman, but if you take my agruement into account, its more spreadout and less acessable

DenMan

irish-stew wrote: »

donegal has some chemo care, and a hospice, but alot of people, depending on their severty, still have to travel as far as galway and dublin, anyone requiring radium, has to travel as well

the population may not be there as you said denman, but if you take my agruement into account, its more spreadout and less acessable

Hi stewy

Your dead right buddy, I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately the point I made is how the Government thinks. I don't like it anymore than you. When the time came for the local TD's to propose to keep the cancer services here, they backed down at the last minute. Very sad situation.

galwayrush

Apparently our Celtic Tiger produced billions over the last ten years,should an apparently Wealthy country put economics before health services? It's not fair making people travel an extremely long journey with all the woes suffering from Cancer brings .It's traumatic enough.

Mint Sauce

unfortunatly the tiger never came to the NW

galwayrush

irish-stew wrote: »

unfortunatly the tiger never came to the NW

In reality, the Tiger was just a lot of self praise from the Goverment and one massive Overdraft.:rolleyes:

il gatto

I didn't vote (in this poll). As I've said elsewhere, the only vote that counts took place last year. The incumbant government had done enough wrong to not get re-elected several times over. Now, when the "safe pair of hands with the economy" crap and the Bertie "charisma" crap is shown to be the media induced pack of lies it was, the country is going down fast and the ultimate slap in the face of cutbacks being aimed at the vulnerable and marginalised (that's the NW to you and me) people have finally got angry.
The arrogance of this government is astonishing. Mary Harney is still the Minister for Health after all the public anger towards her high handed decisions and bolshy attitude. Brian Cowan, who would be almost unelectable under his own steam, is inflicted on the country as our Taoiseach by appointment and Bertie ducks out as the knives come out and gets €200,000 spent refurbishing his office whilst the country heads for recession. The Irish think they're clever but all the while their own government has ridden them for all their worth. A country of 4.2 million paying more than Germany (80million+) and more than the U.S.(250million+) if they'd got their way, to our Premier? Gap between rich and poor widening? Well sit back and enjoy another four years (that'll be 15 in all) of it.

Sulukie

I voted no because having friends being treated for breast cancer at the moment I truly believe that Sligo's breast cancer services are not up to the standard of Letterkenny's or Galways. That is not a reflection on the doctors or nurses in Sligo but on the resources of SGH.

As I assume in the present climate we can't expect any new investment in Sligo Breast Cancer care then I would choose to travel to where the best care is available.

Having said that other departments in Sligo are fantastic.

Sniipe

The point I would like to try an make is money and management. It would be great to have a breast clinic in every city/gateway city. But I imagine it costs a lot of money to maintain, not to mention the fact that you need the best doctors/consultants.

The services availible in the centers of excellence would mean that you get the best of what Ireland has to offer. All the top specialist are in the one area. The hospital is kept up to the highest of standards and hopefully there will be no errors with diagnosis or treatment.

I have gone thru this twice and twice the results and procedures could have been a lot better and faster.

il gatto

It's not a case of putting these facilities in every hole and corner. There will be no cancer care north of Galway/Dublin. It's not just breast cancer. People seem to mention that one alot, but it's more sweeping than that.
It's fine suggesting people travel to a "center of excellence", but the simple fact is they don't exist. They're cutting services before they're put in place an alternative. Cancer doesn't wait intil an alternative is provided. It's running the health service on a theory. The North West has had one single bed "ring fenced" in Galway. Very reassuring.
And further to that, I don't think most people wouldn't mind travel to a good hospital for their cancer surgery, but making people go to Galway, possibly from the top of Donegal, five hours away, for chemotherapy, repeatedly, on public transport? Anyone who tries to justify that sort of disregard and cruelty to patients suffering from fatique and nasuea is beneath contempt.
Sligo is a big hospital, serving a big area. It's not like people are looking to keep cancer care in some glorified clinic like Roscommon or Athlone hospitals (no offence Rossis, you know what I mean).

Mint Sauce

+1

not on the rossie commet though

Sulukie

il gatto wrote: »

It's not a case of putting these facilities in every hole and corner. There will be no cancer care north of Galway/Dublin.

Pretty sure Letterkenny Generals Breast Cancer Services have not been affected.

kmick

I didnt vote because liek another poster I am torn. My heart says keep it open but my head says centres of excellence seems like a good idea. There is a lower survival rate in ireland for many types of cancers. Some say the reason for this is lack of expertise at local level. The proposed solution is centres of excellence. In theory this sounds very good. In practise I have no confidence in this government to deliver these centres. Look at their proposals to move Tallaght childrens hospital. They are a shambles.

il gatto

Sulukie wrote: »

Pretty sure Letterkenny Generals Breast Cancer Services have not been affected.

Again, this is not just about breast cancer. It's one of the most common forms but the majority of cancers are not breast cancer. And providing mamographies would be considered "Breast Check". I wonder what extent of treatment/surgery will be maintained in Letterkenny for people diagnosed with breast cancer?

Mint Sauce

Sulukie wrote: »

Pretty sure Letterkenny Generals Breast Cancer Services have not been affected.

but even in letterkenny, there is a big waiting list, plenty of women travel to derry from donegal for mamograms

plus, as il gatto said, its not just breast cancer, there is plenty of other forms of cancer out there, and traveling 4 to 5 hrs each way for treatment, is simply not good enough, regardless of its form