Mole screening at CUH closed after consultant retired

A Cork TD has criticised the HSE after confirmation that the melanoma mole-screening surveillance service at Cork University Hospital (CUH) ended when the lead consultant who ran it retired, with no succession arrangement in place.

The HSE also confirmed that the clinical nurse specialist post, which supported the service, has been vacant for seven months.

CUH’s chief executive officer, Jennifer Kearney, confirmed that the mole-skin cancer-screening service at CUH was provided as an additional activity by a consultant breast surgeon, and that following that consultant’s retirement, the service is no longer being provided in the same way.

Ms Kearney wrote: “It is also important to clarify that the consultant’s post was a professional post jointly associated with University College Cork.”

She added: “Patients with a previous history of skin cancer, who have been under the care of the retired consultant and who meet the criteria for ongoing surveillance, have had their care reviewed and transferred, where appropriate, to other clinicians with relevant skin-cancer expertise.”

The clinical director at CUH has strongly advocated for the post to be filled and CUH has listed it as a priority vacancy, but it is still awaiting national HSE approval.

The information was contained in a written response to a query from Independent Ireland Cork North Central TD Ken O’Flynn, who said a public service should not quietly vanish and leave people with a choice between paying or going without.

He added that what is even harder to accept is the nursing post.

“The nurse who co-ordinated follow-up care and made sure patients did not fall through the cracks has not been replaced in seven months,” Mr O’Flynn said.