Health bosses admit stroke and breast cancer services not adequate

Stroke and breast cancer services are not meeting the needs of the population, the medical directors of NI's health trusts have said.Their comments came ahead of a series of public discussions on Department of Health proposals to re-shape stroke and breast assessment care.Under new proposals, Northern Ireland could have between three and five hyper-acute stroke units.Currently, services are spread across 11 hospital sites.Specialists have argued expertise is being spread too thinly and that it is denying some people access to the best of care.Breast cancer assessment services would be consolidated on three hospital sites, with centres in Belfast's City Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital closing.