Upgraded patient transport service between Sligo and Galway to be operational next week

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

It has been confirmed by the HSE that the upgraded patient transport service between Sligo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway will become operational on Monday next, November 3.

This upgraded patient transport service provides for wheelchair accessibility and on-board toilet facilities, improving comfort and accessibility for passengers.

This service continues to support oncology patients travelling from Sligo to University Hospital Galway for radiotherapy treatment, operating five days a week.

Grainne McCann, Sligo University Hospital Manager said “We are delighted to have an improved bus service operational from early November. This service is in place to help ensure improved comfort levels for patients travelling from Sligo to Galway for radiotherapy.

Welcoming the news Cllr Marie Casserly said, “It’s great news and I would like to thank the management of Sligo University Hospital, the HSE and all the voluntary groups and charities who have lobbied for this and who have asked for this over the last couple of years.

"As you know there is a bus there already but it wasn’t fit for purpose so this new bus is wheelchair accessible, it has toilet facilities, it is going to make everyone’s journey that little bit easier going to Galway. People who are having their treatment already, they’ve had to use the old bus and I’m sure this is going to be a small bit of relief and it will make life a little bit easier for when you’re getting your treatment while you are travelling to and from Galway.

"I’d like to thank everyone for their patience, everybody who has told me their stories and explained the difficulty of travelling from Sligo to Galway when you are getting treatment for cancer and just the difficulties and issues that people have and I certainly wasn’t aware of that and I know a lot of people aren’t aware of it so I’m delighted for everybody and thanks to everybody who has made this possible and I wish everybody who is using this service the very best of luck.”

The news has also been welcomed by Cllr Edel McSharry who explained that the new specially designed bus, which includes wheelchair access, wider seating and on-board toilet facilities, replaces the previous Friends of Sligo University Hospital specially designed bus that had reached the end of its service life.

“It’s been a long road, but I’m delighted that after over a year of work, this new bus will finally be on the road,” said Cllr McSharry. “When the previous bus broke down, the Friends of Sligo University Hospital and the Cancer Support Centre Men’s Group reached out for help. I immediately began working to secure funding for a new purpose-built vehicle. Thanks to the commitment of then Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister Dara Calleary, funding was approved last year. The HSE subsequently confirmed their support and took responsibility for procurement.”

Cllr McSharry acknowledged that the process took longer than expected due to EU procurement and regulatory requirements, but said the final outcome is worth the wait.

“Patients travelling daily to Galway for radiotherapy deserve maximum comfort and dignity. Many, particularly men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, highlighted the urgent need for toilet facilities on board. This new vehicle delivers exactly that; proper comfort, accessibility and respect for patients who are already going through a tough journey.”

Cllr McSharry paid tribute to Gráinne McCann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital, for her persistence and leadership in bringing the project to completion, and extended thanks to the Friends of Sligo University Hospital, the Cancer Support Centre, local advocates and media for keeping attention on this important issue.

“This is a real example of what community advocacy, persistence and partnership with government can achieve. We must continue improving cancer services for Sligo, Leitrim and the wider North West so that our patients receive not only the best treatment, but also the comfort and care they deserve.”

Sligo Leitrim Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan has also welcomed the new upgraded patient transport service between Sligo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway.

“I am thrilled to see the much improved and modern bus service operational from Monday which will be operated by a local company here in Sligo.

“When the issue of the inadequacy of the previous bus was raised with me, I immediately contacted the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who was very helpful and receptive to the need to modernise the transport service for cancer patients, I was delighted with the work down by the Minister over the last few months and indeed to get her call yesterday to confirm the start up of the service on November 3rd.

“Patient comfort should be the top priority and I am confident this new service will help to ensure improved comfort levels for patients travelling from Sligo to Galway for radiotherapy”, concluded Deputy Feighan.