Blow to vital cancer unit sparks uproar and dispute over funding claims

HEALTH Minister Michael McGimpsey claims to have “deferred rather than mothballed” the proposed new radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin - vital in order to relieve pressure on services in Belfast which are due to reach capacity in 2015 - after batting a decision on whether to fund the unit to his successor.

But his decision has sparked uproar in the North West, prompting the resignation of UUP Deputy Chair Terry Wright and another party colleague Londonderry Alderman Mary Hamilton to say a different approach was needed. It was branded “heartless” by Chairman of the Stormont Health Committee DUP MLA Jim Wells and “political” by SDLP MLA Pól Callaghan as people in Londonderry took to the streets in protest.

Elsewhere, questions were raised after Irish Health Minister Dr James Reilly contradicted Mr McGimpsey’s claim that Dublin had not committed funding for the now deferred satellite radiotherapy centre.

The UUP Minister said he had unsuccessfully tried contacting his southern colleague for an update on Dublin’s commitment to the centre.

Mr McGimpsey told the Assembly work will not now begin on the cancer unit in 2012 as planned. Nor will it be completed by 2015. Its estimated total cost is £47m - £52m.

Responding to the blow Londonderry UUP Alderman Mary Hamilton said: “I would like to think the money could have been divided out a bit more. This is one vital service we need.

“As someone who has driven patients to Belfast as a voluntary driver, we used to go up each morning at seven o’ clock for maybe five minutes’ treatment. Those patients had to suffer going up and down. It’s so stressful.

“We need that unit here at Altnagelvin. I think they would need to look at the programme again and try to distribute a wee bit more money for the North West.”

Local health chiefs said the unit was “absolutely essential” and expressed disappointment that the green light had not been not given to proceed.

Western Trust Chairman Gerard Guckian said: “The reason that the Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital is so important is that the Cancer Centre, Belfast has stated that it will reach maximum capacity by late 2015.

“This combined with the cross border aspect of the proposed scheme makes the Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit the only logical solution to ensure the sustainable delivery of Cancer services with equal accessibility to all patients.

“The development of Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit is absolutely essential to the future provision of cancer services across the province and in the North West of Ireland.”

Amongst Mr McGimpsey’s excuses for not proceeding with the unit was that he had yet to receive a firm commitment from the new Fine Gael Health Minister James Reilly on his predecessor’s promised contribution towards the centre.

The outgoing Irish Government had promised 19million euro in capital costs and £2.5million a year in current funds on a pro rata basis - a third of patients will come from the south - to build and run the proposed facility.

But Mr McGimpsey said he had tried and failed to make contact with Dr Reilly in order to discuss the issue.

He told Stormont: “As things stand, I do not have a commitment on Altnagelvin from the Irish Government. One third of the patients who go through the door at Altnagelvin will come from the Irish Republic, and the Government are required to commit as the previous Government in Dublin have done.

“I have tried to make contact, but I have not been able to make contact with the new Health Minister. The decision will fall to the next Minister.”

However, in a statement issued to the media Dr Reilly contradicted Mr McGimpsey saying he had written to his northern counterpart committing the funding.

In a statement, Dr Reilly’s office said: “This contribution recognises the fact that approximately one-third of the patients who would attend the Altnagelvin centre would be from Donegal and the surrounding areas.

“In addition, the National Cancer Control Programme will contribute on an agreed basis to the operating costs in respect of patients from the Republic of Ireland who attend this service.”

Another contentious claim made by Mr McGimpsey was that not enough current funding would be available to pay staff costs.

He said: “Revenue is critical to the project. Decisions to commit revenue to commence necessary specialised training were to be taken in 2011-12, so that staff would be fully trained and available when the project opens in 2016.

“Those to be trained include oncologists, radiologists and radiographers. The current budget does not enable that decision to be taken.”

But DUP rival Jim Wells disputed this arguing centre staff would not have to be paid until the centre opened.

Said Mr Wells: “Surely, given the facts that the Minister of Finance has ring-fenced the capital budget for that project, that the revenue funding issue does not occur until year 4, and that the Belfast City Hospital complex will run out of capacity in five years’ time, he must urgently review that decision before more cancer patients are forced to make a 160-mile round trip three or four times a week for chemotherapy. That is a heartless decision, and I call on the Minister, even at this late stage, to reverse it.”

The Minister denied Mr Wells’ argument saying revenue funding was needed now in order to train staff.

He said: “I am the one who has championed the Altnagelvin project from day one. I have carried it and brought it forward. Mr Wells made remarks

that the capital is ring-fenced; that is not true.

“There is no ring-fenced capital. Resource is needed now, because we have to put staff training in place. However, that resource is not available.”

Construction was set to begin on the new facility in 2012 but Mr McGimpsey has consistently stated that the Executive and Leinster House needed to release the funds before the development moved forward.

Announcing the centre three years ago the Minister said: “Cancer is a leading cause of death in Northern Ireland. Every year there are 3,600 deaths from cancer and around 8,500 new cancers are diagnosed. It is possible that we could see an overall increase in cancer levels of over 50 per cent with potentially 13,000 new cancers diagnosed each year by 2025.”

He said: “An initial assessment of projected cancer incidence and demographics suggests that a combination of radiotherapy services in Belfast and Altnagelvin would best meet the needs of the population of Northern Ireland beyond 2015. This is to ensure that 90 per cent of the population is within one hour of radiotherapy.

“I have discussed this issue with a range of public representatives and community groups from the northwest. I also recognise the potential for cross border co-operation in the development of this resource.”