The planned transfer of cancer services from Sligo and Mayo General Hospitals to UHG by early 2009 has been called into question by local Fine Gael representative Senator Fidelma Healy Eames.

Senator Healy Eames said the transfer should be suspended until adequate resources are put in place.

She said she was happy UHG had been designated a Centre of Excellence, but, "just because Galway has been designated as a centre of excellence doesn't make it one".

"It must be properly equipped with the right expertise, the space, the beds, the technology and the safety measures to achieve that title."

According to the HSE West, planning is currently taking place for the transfer of the initial diagnostic and surgical management of patients with symptomatic breast disease from Mayo General Hospital (MGH) to University Hospital Galway.

The health authority told the Galway Independent that the additional resources were being put in place in UHG to accommodate the additional patients from Mayo General.

Patients from Sligo are expected to be transferred in "early 2009".

Senator Healy Eames said the picture painted of UHG, with 108 per cent occupancy and a high incidence of MRSA, does "not instil confidence regarding patient safety".

"The hospital is also way over its budget and has virtually non-existent parking facilities. Despite all this, it is intended to bring 2,500 extra patients from Mayo and another 2,500 from Sligo from their existing safe service," she said.