Sir, - St Anne's Hospital, Northbrook Road, Dublin, the first dedicated cancer hospital in the Republic, is to close on December 19th. In its wisdom, the Department of Health has decided that the 50-bed St Anne's is surplus to requirements.
Closure will greatly affect cancer patients from all along the western seaboard, as well as counties Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny.
As a patient at St Anne's for the last three years, I am appealing to the Minister for Health to reverse the earlier decision. I am also calling on the thousands of fellow cancer sufferers who have experienced the care, devotion and attention of the wonderful staff at St Anne's, to support this plea.
In effect, what is now happening is that a two-tiered cancer system is evolving in Ireland, putting provincial patients and their immediate families, many of whom have to travel long distances, at a distinct disadvantage.
In its defence, the Department has indicated that it will increase the number of beds at St Luke's Hospital. But the reality is that some beds will be taken out of the system, meaning longer delays for provincial cancer patients.
It is also safe to assume that, with the impeding closure of St Anne's, there will be extra pressure on demands for day care treatment facilities at St Luke's.
From my experience, I know that St Anne's, which has state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, is full all year round. Therefore, the proposed integration with St Luke's, and the consequent extra pressure on the latter, will certainly not be to the benefit of provincial patients. - Yours, etc.,
From Rio Hall
Nenagh, Co Tipperary.