Waterford councillors to seek help as UHW revealed among worst hospitals for cancer care

Councillors in Waterford have agreed to seek help after it was revealed that University Hospital Waterford is among the worst hospitals in the country when it comes to cancer care. 

New data from the HSE has shown that 34% of patients are UHW are not receiving chemotherapy within the target timeframe of 15 working days. 

These figures place UHW at 24th of of 25 hospitals nationally that provide chemotherapy services, according to an article by WLR.

It is also the worst performing hospital in the South-East, which has resulted in a call to action from local councillors. 

In comparison, 28% of patients in Kilkenny miss the target timeframe and just 2.7% in Wexford do.

The national average is 15%.

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Capacity, rather than a lack of medical expertise, was identified as the issue.

Sinn Féin's Kate O'Mahony raised the issue at the most recent Council meeting, which led to all councillors agreeing that they would write to the HSE, Minister for Health, Department of Health, and the regional health authority requesting that urgent action be taken.

Councillors will ask that the National Cancer Strategy be fully implementred, annual funding be increased, and a workforve plan for oncology and diagnostics be set up. 

An investment into staffing and equiptment will also be sought.

She added that the data shows a clear regional disparity, noting that 28% of patients in Kilkenny miss the target timeframe, compared to a national average of 15% and just 2.7% in Wexford.