Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Health if he will as a matter of urgency restore the mammography services to Sligo General Hospital in order to alleviate the stress on patients travelling to University Hospital Galway and to alleviate the stress on services at UHG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14900/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Women in the Sligo area with breast cancer currently access diagnostic and surgical services, including mammography, in Galway. Some 96% of women who attend the Galway breast unit do not have cancer, and only one visit is normally necessary. For the small number diagnosed with breast cancer, some 85% will require radiotherapy as well as surgery, which would involve treatment in Galway in any event. The Minister intends to keep the current arrangements for cancer treatment at Sligo General under review, particularly in relation to follow-up mammography services which are currently provided at Galway.