A LOCAL cancer group
has requested a meeting with the island's two health
ministers to discuss the hardship of cancer patients
in the North West.
Co-operating for Cancer Care North West (CCCNW) has
written to Ministers Michael McGimpsey and Mary
Harney seeking urgent ‘round table talks’ with all
relevant parties to discuss the provision of a
satellite radiation unit and a cancer unit for the
region.
Among the items on the agenda should the group be
granted a meeting, will be the current cross-border
oncology arrangement with Belfast.
The service allowing for around 50 Donegal oncology
patients to be treated annually at Belfast City
Hospital will be a year in operation on November
1st, 2007.
However, CCCNW says Belfast is "not the solution" to
the problem for the people of the North West
requiring radiation services.
"The solution to this problem is to provide the
North West with a satellite radiation unit, in the
public sector, linked to a ‘Mother’ Regional Cancer
Centre which in turn is integrated with National
Radiation Network.
"The North West needs a satellite radiation unit
that will treat the people of the North West nearer
to their homes, their families and friends," said a
CCCNW spokesperson.
The group referred to former NWHB figures showing
that between 1,999 and 2,398 patients would need
radiotherapy by the year 2010.
"This size of a cancer population would allow a
satellite radiation unit to house 3-4 linear
accelerators," said the spokesperson.
The group recognises that either Altnagelvin
Hospital or Letterkenny General Hospital is a
suitable site for a satellite radiation unit in the
North West.
"Co-operation between both departments of health and
health executives will be required to reach an
agreed decision as to which hospital will host
radiation services for the betterment of cancer
patients' care in the North West. It is very
important that this unit offers all patients equal
access to treatment according to need," the
spokesperson added. |
