CONSULTANT DEFENDS STATUS OF UHG AS CANCER CARE SPECIALIST CENTRE

Date Published: 11-Sep-2009

A Consultant surgeon at University Hospital Galway, has hit back at criticism that Galway cannot become a centre of excellence for cancer care.Oliver McAnena says people and politicians in Galway need to support their local hospital instead of criticising it.It's been revealed that the outgoing general manager at UHG, Bridget Howley, wrote to CEO of the HSE, Professor Brendan Drumm, outlining concerns about the impact of cutbacks.According to city councillor, Padraig Conneely, part of the letter was read out at a recent meeting of the HSE West Hospitals Committee.In the letter, Ms.Howley says with the current planned cutbacks, UHG will no longer be able to function as a Cancer Care Centre of Excellence.However, Oliver McAnena says it's important local representatives get support from the Government for hospitals in Galway.