Cancer patients are ‘second-class citizens’

Galway could learn a few lessons from a new hospital in Kilkenny on the treatment of vulnerable cancer patients, according to a local TD.

Unlike University Hospital Galway, cancer patients do not have to queue up in the Emergency Department of this particular hospital in Kilkenny.

Galway East TD Paul Connaughton Jnr visited the newly-opened St. Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny to see at first-hand how cancer patients visiting the Emergency Department are treated.

He said that similar systems need to be put in place for patients at UHG as at the moment cancer patients in Galway are second-class citizens.

“In recent months I have been contacted by cancer patients and their families who are concerned that they have to enter UHG via the Emergency Department and, in many cases, have to spend hours, including overnight, on trolleys, among very sick people at a time when their immune systems are at their lowest because of chemotherapy.

“Other hospitals around the country have systems in place so that a cancer patient whose immune system is suppressed and who presents at A&E with an infection, a problem with a portacath or adverse reaction to drugs, goes directly to an oncology area or ward and does not have to spend hours waiting.

“St. Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny is a new hospital which streams patients and is one where oncology patients don’t have to spend endless hours in A&E,” Deputy Connaughton pointed out.

He visited the hospital last week and said that it was “an eye-opening experience” when it came to the admission of cancer patients.

The Fine Gael TD said that the hospital had adopted a welcome approach when it came to admitting patients.

He said that there was a solid liaison system in place with local GPs and he also found that there was a priority on patient needs.

“I have been in contact with Minister Leo Varadkar in relation to the need for a new A&E for UHG and I believe that the systems in place in Kilkenny should be incorporated into any new facility in Galway.

“I have also raised the issue of cancer patients having to access UHG via the A&E with the Emergency Department Taskforce and will continue to raise this issue.

“Last week’s visit to Kilkenny really brought it home to me that cancer patients in the West of Ireland who attend UHG as their cancer centre of excellence, need to be kept away from the main A&E area, where staff are already under incredible pressure,” Deputy Connaughton added.