Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has welcomed the reinstatement of histopathology services for primary care surgical procedures at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, following months of concern among patients, GPs and community healthcare providers.
I’d like to acknowledge the crucial role of my colleague Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health, her close engagement and timely intervention were central to achieving this outcome.
The return of the diagnostic service is seen as an important step in improving access to skin surgery and biopsy services in the community. Histopathological examination plays a key role in diagnosing conditions such as skin cancer and allows GPs to continue carrying out minor surgical procedures closer to patients’ homes.
Deputy Butterly also acknowledged the work of community GPs and said the decision represents an important development for patient care.
This is a very positive development for patients across the region. The reinstatement of histopathology access ensures that appropriately trained GPs can continue delivering safe, timely procedures in the community. It reduces pressure on already stretched hospital waiting lists and ensures patients receive care in the right place at the right time.
The move is also in line with national healthcare policy, including Sláintecare and the HSE’s focus on strengthening diagnostic supports in primary and community care. Deputy Butterly said the decision will help reduce delays in diagnosis and avoid unnecessary referrals to hospital services.
Withdrawing this service was neither safe nor sustainable. I am pleased that patient welfare has been prioritised and that GPs can once again rely on timely histopathology reporting to support high-quality care.
Senator Alison Comyn said:
The decision to reinstate the histopathology service at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is a triumph for common sense and for patient care. Removing this vital service would have had serious implications for diagnosis, treatment times, and outcomes for patients across Drogheda and the entire North East.
I welcome the intervention of Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in reversing the HSE decision and ensuring that this essential service remains in place at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. This is not only the right decision medically, it is the right decision economically and for the safety of thousands of patients who rely on the hospital every year.
Today is a good day for Drogheda and for the wider North East. This outcome will not only save money in the long term, it will save lives.’
