A Mayo View: A sad and shocking indictment of our cancer care services

A number of protests took place in Castlebar in 2008 over the decision to move cancer care services from Mayo University Hospital to a centre of excellence at Galway University Hospital.

It was a fairly divisive issue, particularly in regard to the treatment of breast cancer, but it eventually abated due to promises by the then Minister for Health, Mary Harney, that it would, in the long term, result in better and more sophisticated treatment of patients.

So the plan proceeded and a section of Galway University Hospital received considerable investment in establishing it as the central oncology facility for the west and northwest of Ireland.

The idea was great in theory but, in practice, it has not proved to be so.

Earlier this month the Irish Cancer Society highlighted the fact that patients in the west and northwest face the longest wait time between cancer diagnosis and commencement of appropriate treatment.

In what can only be regarded as a further shocking indictment, Dr. Michael McCarthy, president of the Irish Society of Medical Oncology and a consultant oncologist at University Hospital Galway, revealed: "I see the human cost of the postcode lottery in Irish cancer care every day.

"Once chemotherapy is prescribed, the National Cancer Strategy states that it should start within 15 working days. The reality in Galway is that patients are now typically waiting seven to eight weeks for their first session. With every week that passes, the risk increases that their cancer will grow, or worse that it will spread to other parts of their body."

Dr. McCarthy went on to describe the conditions of the facilities in Galway as follows: "In 2016, the day ward in University Hospital Galway had 13,000 visits. By 2024, that had increased to 25,000.

“Our doctors, nurses, hospital pharmacists and others have done everything they can to minimise waiting times. However, we simply don’t have enough staff, space, or equipment to cope and patients are paying the price."

The Irish Cancer Society has also drawn attention to the fact there is no PET scanner at University Hospital Galway, meaning scans are being conducted privately at a higher cost. The hospital also needs a new CT scanner and facility.

One CT scanner is 17 years old and keeps breaking down.

These are the facts despite a sum of €72 million being invested in the centre of excellence in recent years.

There is also the argument that irrespective of all the past investment and promises of further investment as part of a new 'masterplan', University Hospital Galway simply can't cope with the huge pressures placed on it.

As the only 'model 4 hospital' in the region, it serves a population of more than 850,000 people and that patient population increases to 1.1 million for cancer services for which it also covers County Clare and parts of the midlands.

And because so many of the existing facilities at the centre are outdated and suboptimal, the task of addressing the situation borders on the impossible.

A worrying situation, indeed, and perhaps a complete rethink is now required.