Madam, - In July 2005, Minister for Health Mary Harney announced the relocation of radiotherapy services from St Luke's hospital, Dublin to St. James's hospital, Dublin, leading to the eventual closure of St Luke's by 2011. I am amazed at the lack of publicity accompanying this announcement. Instead of closing St Luke's, the Government should look on this hospital as a prototype for all others.
The extraordinary caring staff, the peace and tranquillity and the beautiful grounds all contribute toward making this hospital a very special place indeed. Ms Harney will never create elsewhere what she has in St Luke's.
The Friends of St Luke's have raised €20 million over the last 25 years. How well this money was spent is very obvious to patients and visitors of St Luke's alike. The lodge now contains 49 en-suite rooms, where patients reside during treatment, while the day room and cooking facilities add a great sense of camaraderie amongst the patients which is therapy in itself.
Radiotherapy equipment has been presented, money for research provided and the theatre facilities upgraded. The benefits of all this fundraising will be set at naught by this decision. 20,000 people are treated every year in St Luke's.
How will St James's cater for such a large influx of people? What will it cost to house them? The move turns economic logic on its head! Some 20,000 people represents the population of a large town, would Ms Harney close a large town without some degree of consultation?
Treating a person for cancer is not all about drugs. A large general hospital with hustle and bustle is not a suitable environment for cancer sufferers, that I know because I am a patient in both hospitals.
I am pleading with Ms Harney and her Government to rethink this decision.
Otherwise, Minister, I say shame on you, shame on your Government and shame on us, if we allow you to close a much loved and extremely important hospital. - Yours, etc,
NANCY BROWNE, Chairperson, Friends of St Luke's, Naas,