Sir, – To read that the planned expansion of cancer treatment facilities at St James's Hospital in Dublin has now been deferred because of the construction of the National Children's Hospital was enough to send me into orbit, crutches and all ("Expansion of cancer facilities at St James's Hospital deferred", September 6th).
What is it about this Government’s propensity to try to squeeze health facilities into small spaces? There simply isn’t enough room at St James’s to fit a children’s hospital, an adult hospital, a maternity hospital and expanded cancer facilities. I can only hope that the Fota Island think-in gives our political masters the time and space they need to revisit the location of the children’s hospital at St James’s and to reopen the file on Blanchardstown, which would give everyone enough room to breathe and expand.
While they’re at it, they should also establish a new government department – a “Department of Common Sense”.– Yours, etc,
JONATHAN IRWIN,
Johnstown Manor,
Johnstown,
Naas, Co Kildare.