Anatomy of a Breast Care Crisis
Buried Under: Breast Care | Added by Sabrina Dent
On the 24th of October, Alison* reports to her GP’s surgery having discovered a lump in her breast, which is also leaking blood. She is referred to Portlaoise Hospital hospital for a breast ultrasound, only to discover they no longer do them. Referred on again, she is told the wait at Mullingar Hospital is four to six weeks.
On the 12th of December, after lobbying her local representatives for assistance with waiting times, Alison learns services have been withdrawn from Mullingar as well when she receives an email from her local TD, Charlie Flannagan (FG), stating:
I have been making enquiries about breast ultrasound in Midlands. It appears that there is now no service. I have personally written to Mary Harney expressing my concern and requesting urgent action.
Alison is referred on again, this time to Dublin. On the 18th of December, Deputy Charles Flannagan raises the issue in the Dail, asking Mary Harney:
…if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Laois, when referred from Portlaoise Hospital to Dublin for an urgent ultrasound, was told that they would have to wait up to four months before they could be seen.
On the 19th of December, following a radio interview, a blog storm, and pressure from a TD, an appointment magically appears.
On the 21st of December, Alison drives two hours to Dublin to see a consultant, who does a repeat manual exam and refers her for the same ultrasound she was referred for in October, stating it will be several months until she can have an appointment.
*Alison’s name has been changed to protect her privacy. You can find out more about her here.
Added Tuesday, 22 January 2008 | | Email a Friend |
Comment by Alison
Made Tuesday, 22 of January , 2008 at 2:20 pm
Thanks for highlighting what is going on. It really is awful! Hopefully this will make a big difference!!!
Comment by isadub
Made Wednesday, 23 of January , 2008 at 8:37 am
Good luck with the campaign.
I live near a major hospital in Dublin so have relatively easy access to healthcare. But I’m always amazed and angry when I hear how hard it is for people outside Dublin to access help. The State is humiliating it’s citizens.
isadub
Comment by Nay
Made Monday, 28 of January , 2008 at 1:41 am
What utterly shambolic practice. Exams and consultations are highly distressing as it is without such dreadful waiting lists.
The danger of breast cancer is now well-known. TTAAV have taken a massive step towards forcing the Minister for Health to address the shortcomings of the HSE and I for one will be sure to inform the women in my life. The very best of luck to you!
Comment by Suse
Made Tuesday, 5 of February , 2008 at 9:03 pm
I’ve been following Alison’s story since she started to blog about it, and continued through to your fabulous website, congrats on your launch!
While living in the Dublin area two years ago, I found a lump in my breast and went to the doctor nearly immediately. As I was only 21 at the time, my doctor wasn’t worried but referred me to St. James’ to put my mind at ease. Because I have health insurance I was seen within a month and had a consultation, scan and biopsy, and results of all three all in the one day. I had a follow up consultation a few months later, which resulted in day surgery, one more consultation and that was that.
What I don’t understand is:
1)Why breast care (starting from the early diagnostic period) cannot be standardised to a system such as the 3-in-1 that St. James’ has, instead of leaving people such as Alison chasing up and down the country and waiting months for scans.
2)Why there is such a ridiculously marked and biased difference between private and public patients. I can’t even put into words how angry this makes me!
3)Why our Minister for Health (and by extension the whole government) doesn’t seem to take the testimonies made by women like Alison seriously, and why they should be allowed to continue ignoring the subject.
Why should someone receive better treatment just because they happen to live on one side of the country? This tiered health system is a complete disgrace.