Children’s chemotherapy sessions are being cancelled due to an increase in Emergency Department presentations at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

The hospital said it is under pressure due to a rise in the flu, the winter vomiting bug and respiratory tract infections.

It said the increase is causing chemotherapy delays at St John's Cancer ward – the only paediatric cancer centre in the State.

115 children under the age of 14 have been hospitalised and admitted to critical care during the current flu season.

Systems

Donal Buggy from the Irish Cancer Society said the HSE needs to manage the issue better.

“Winter happens every year. The flu season happens every year. It shouldn’t be a surprise to us,” he said.

“We need to ensure that we have proper structures and systems in place.

“Cancer doesn’t stop for winter. Cancer is a year-round thing for these children and their treatment needs to be year-round too.”

Cancellations

He said cancellations can have a big impact on children and families.

“Think about travelling from Donegal or Kerry up to Dublin for treatment,” he said.

“I need to get days off work for that; I need to ensure that my other kids get to and from school and I need to ensure that the child who is getting the treatment is prepared.”

"Winter pressures"

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said the cancellations are “one of the more troubling effects of this Government’s failure to invest in adequate bed capacity across our acute public hospitals.”

It said the "winter pressures" facing hospitals are "entirely predictable;" however, under-investment has left hospitals like Crumlin unable to cope.

“It is extremely distressing for patients, such as vulnerable children battling cancer, their parents and the medical staff treating patients, who are left to suffer the consequences of the government’s neglect of our public hospital services,” it said.

Chemotherapy

In a statement, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital (CHI) said patient admission dates are periodically changed “for a number of reasons including demand on available beds.”

It said it is highly aware of the of the impact on patients with cancer and “sincerely regrets” when treatments are deferred.

The hospital said patient safety and the safe delivery of care remains its number one priority, with a decision to delay an admission “not undertaken lightly.”

It said it is in direct contact with the families of affected children to reschedule their appointments.

The HSE is asking anyone who gets the flu to stay at home and use over-the-counter remedies. Anyone with severe symptoms should contact their GP.