By Sean Murphy
NEW figures show that Letterkenny hospital breast cancer referrals take longer than two weeks – which contravenes target times.
The figures come from the HSE’s latest management data report.
It shows that almost 90 per cent of urgent breast cancer referrals in April were not seen on time at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH).
The Donegal News has asked the HSE West and North West to explain the delays.
It is HSE policy that breast clinics aim to see 95 per cent of patients within 10 working days because early cancer detection improves survival rates.
However, the HSE’S own latest data shows only 61.3 per cent of cases nationally last year were seen within two weeks.
The HSE management data report from April, the latest figures available, shows that the West and North West region had the poorest performance.
And within the West and North West region, the poorest performance by any hospital was LUH.
Recent breast cancer referrals at Letterkenny University Hospital took longer than the two-week target time.
Some 81.9 per cent of its cases were seen within two weeks in January.
But this plunged to 6.5 per cent in February and 6.6 per cent in March.
The percentage was 11.8 in April.
VACANCIES
Letterkenny hospital has consultant vacancies and is currently without a permanent second consultant breast surgeon and a permanent second breast radiologist, revealed the HSE.
A spokesperson for the HSE West and North West region confirmed that there have been delays “recruiting a second consultant breast surgeon”.
Similarly, a second breast radiologist began as a temporary stand-in at the hospital last December.
A permanent appointment is expected to triple assessment clinics.
The HSE spokesperson warned that achieving targets “remains an ongoing challenge due to consultant vacancies”.
However, she revealed that a stand-in consultant breast surgeon is due to begin work on August 19.
She said in a statement to the Irish Times: “Once in situ, the breast waiting list will be immediately addressed.”
She added: “There are 18 breast clinics scheduled for August and this number will increase once the second breast surgeon commences their role.
“A total of 87 clinics were scheduled where a total of 782 patients with urgent referrals to the clinic were seen in the first six months of 2026 and a further 269 patients with non-urgent referrals.”
Additionally, the HSE plans to deliver 30 anti-cancer treatment chairs at a new surgical hub development in Letterkenny.
The Donegal News reported that a design team was appointed for the surgical hub last Tuesday, July 28.