Health Minister committed to satellite radiotherapy service

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey today visited the planned site for the new satellite radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital.

As part of his visit the Minister also viewed the new South Wing development.

The new radiotherapy centre is expected to be in place by 2015 and will provide the additional radiotherapy capacity needed to meet an anticipated increase in cancer in Northern Ireland.

The Minister said: “My first commitment is and always will be to ensure that sufficient radiotherapy capacity exists to treat the people of Northern Ireland now and in the future. I am therefore committed to development of the satellite radiotherapy centre. The new centre when completed will not only ensure high quality and accessible cancer services to the population of the northwest but ensure sufficient radiotherapy capacity in Northern Ireland beyond 2015.

“The new centre will ensure that 90% of the population is within one hour of radiotherapy provision. The Western Trust, in collaboration with the Belfast Trust and commissioners, are taking forward the detailed planning for this development which I believe also offers the potential for cross border cooperation which will be of long lasting and of mutual benefit.”

The Chairman of the Western Health and Social Care Trust has said the Trust looks forward to the development of the new radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry. Speaking during the Minister’s visit, Gerard Guckian said: "The Western Trust is working closely with DHSSPS on the development of this new satellite radiotherapy/cancer treatment facility.

"The development of this facility will be of great benefit to patients living in the Western Trust area and their families and indeed for people outside of the Trust area who will access the service at Altnagelvin."

During his visit the Minister also took the opportunity to view the recently completed South Wing development. Commenting on this phase of the redevelopment, the Minister said: “This £33million redevelopment is part of a programme of work that will extend the life of the 40 year old building by a minimum of 25 years and ensure that the hospital can continue to serve the west of the province for years to come.

“Today when touring the South Wing I got to see the enhanced replacement facilities for haematology/oncology, chemotherapy, maternity, neonatal intensive care, acute care of older people and rehabilitation. It is very impressive and will provide modern, state-of-the-art patient accommodation.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Campbell report into cancer recommended the establishment of a single regional cancer centre of excellence and four cancer units each of which should be linked with a larger acute hospital. The Regional Cancer Centre in Belfast City Hospital, which was built at a cost of £70million, is recognised as one of the best of its kind in Europe. There are also four sub regional cancer units at Altnagelvin, Antrim, Craigavon and the Ulster Hospital.
2. The cancer unit at Altnagelvin Hospital was established in 1999 and provides a wide range of cancer services to the population of the Foyle area. These include services aimed at early detection and screening, imaging, surgery and chemotherapy.
3. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520575, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.