A RADIATION unit is to
be built in Derry for use by patients in Donegal and
across the North West, it's emerged.
Co-operating for Cancer Care NorthWest CCC(NW),
learned of the development during a "constructive"
meeting with Health Minister Mary Harney last week.
The meeting focused on North-South developments in
the provision of a cross border satellite radiation
unit for the people of the North West region while
cancer services in Letterkenny General Hospital were
also high on the agenda.
CCC(NW) spokesperson, Noelle Duddy said Ms Harney
said both jurisdictions had agreed that the
radiation unit was "going to happen".
Ms Harney told the group: "We are going to use
Altnagelvin, the mechanics to do this need to be
worked out, both departments are meeting next month
to further advance discussions”. When asked about
timescales and financing the project, Ms Harney
added: “I want to make this a reality as soon as
possible. Both Governments are very enthusiastic
about this, money would not be a problem”.
It is expected the project will take around five
years to complete with an expectation that actual
treatments for cancer patients will have begun by
2015.
A cross border team to include personnel from
HSE(West); Northern Health Authorities; Letterkenny
General Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital will be
established. Ms Harney also explained that patient
pathways would be established and an integrated
radiation service would be provided for patients in
both jurisdictions. Until a radiation unit in the
North West is built, cancer patients in Donegal will
continue to receive treatment in either St Luke's,
Dublin, Galway or the Belfast Cancer Unit.
Minister Harney re-affirmed the Government's ongoing
commitment regarding the provision of breast cancer
services at Letterkenny General Hospital. She also
explained that Professor Keane’s department, the
National Cancer Control Programme, is actively
engaging with Letterkenny’s management team.
Ms Duddy said: “We had a constructive meeting with
Minister Harney and her advisors. We left the
meeting reassured that Letterkenny’s breast cancer
services will be retained and developed. With
regards to cancer service developments and the
appointment of a colo-rectal surgeon to Letterkenny
General Hospital we were pleased to hear that
Professor Keane’s department is actively engaging
with the hospital's management team to discuss these
matters.
"We look forward to an ending of the long, painful,
arduous journeys many cancer patients in the North
West region face in order to receive radiation
treatment. We are glad that the uncertainty of
“where and if” the North West is going to get a
radiation unit, is over.” |
