THE HSE has responded to explain why breast cancer referrals at Letterkenny hospital have taken longer than two weeks in contravention of target times.
The Donegal News last week reported that the HSE’s own figures showed nearly 90 per cent of urgent breast cancer referrals in April were not seen on time at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH).
The Donegal News asked the HSE to explain the delays.
A spokesperson has now responded: “LUH had a 36 per cent increase in urgent referrals in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.”
It is HSE policy that breast clinics should see urgent patient cases within 10 working days because early cancer detection improves survival rates.
LUH, which is in the HSE’s West and North West region, saw 81.9 per cent of its cases 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.
A spokesperson for the HSE has outlined issues at LUH, including consultant vacancies.
The hospital is currently without a permanent second consultant breast surgeon and a permanent second breast radiologist.
She revealed that achieving targets in the “breast service remains an ongoing challenge due to consultant vacancies”.
Recent breast cancer referrals at Letterkenny University Hospital took longer than the two-week target time.
In a statement to the Donegal News, the HSE said: “There have been delays in recruiting a second consultant breast surgeon in LUH.
“However, a locum breast surgeon has now accepted the position with a commencement date of August 19.
“Once in situ, the breast waiting list will be immediately addressed.”
She added: “In addition, a second breast radiologist commenced work at the hospital in December 2025 in a temporary capacity, pending appointment to a permanent position.
“This supports triple assessment clinics. A triple assessment clinic involves three key components: a clinical examination by a specialist, imaging such as a mammogram or ultrasound, and a biopsy if necessary.”
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.
The HSE spokesperson said this week: “Plans are progressing to deliver 30 Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment, (SACT) chairs in a new state-of-the-art facility as part of the surgical hub development.”
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.”