Donegal cancer flight campaigners want action after Department of Health  response

The Donegal Cancer Flights and Services group is calling for action on the retention of the afternoon flight from Donegal to Dublin after receiving a response from the minister for health’s office on the issue.

The campaigners had written to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill pressing the urgent case for the restoration of reliable, same-day and midday medical access on the Donegal to Dublin public service obligation ( PSO) route, and for the aircraft to be housed overnight at Donegal Airport.

The new terms of the airline contract, which  will commence on March 29, will see  the traditional midday service being removed with the schedule shifting to an early 6:30am flight from Dublin and an 8:30pm return from Donegal.

The group said it is now seeking a formal HSE assessment of the timetable’s impact on patient access, a clear timeframe for completion, the publication of findings and  restoration of reliable same-day and midday access. 

The letter on behalf of the minister for health acknowledged “the very serious concern and potential impact that any changes to flight schedules will cause for patients in the West and North West”.

The department said “it is understandable that patients and will be worried about the recent announcements on this issue”.

A department spokesperson said: “ I can assure you that the Government is firmly committed to maintaining connectivity to the northwest by continuing to provide Exchequer funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services on the Donegal to Dublin route.

“While this issue is under the remit of the Department of Transport to investigate, officials in the Department of Health have liaised with the HSE, who have confirmed the importance of the flight schedule in supporting patients from Donegal and the wider area to access nationally and regionally centralised services. 

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“Officials in this Department have also contacted the Department of Transport who have advised that the Minister for Transport is fully committed to ensuring that an effective service is provided at times that work for all those availing of it, including cancer patients.

“The Minister for Transport recently met with representatives from the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services Group to listen to their concerns and to engage further in terms of how best to move forward. In this regard, the Department of Transport is exploring what options may be available under the new PSO contract to meet the needs of all users, while ensuring the continuity of this vital service.”