Clarity needed on cancer unit affordability

The new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin will relieve pressure on cancer services at Belfast City Hospital which health officials project will reach capacity by 2015.

The unit will be open from Monday to Friday providing radiotherapy services, coupled with an increase in chemotherapy services, if it gets the green light.

But Health Minister Michael McGimpsey warned a decision on a business case for the centre could not be made until he had "clarity on affordability."

He stated: "A final decision on the business case for this project can only be made once I have clarity on affordability.

"This is true of all capital infrastructure projects. My Department is facing huge financial pressures in relation to both my capital and revenue budgets. Only when the outcome of Budget 2010 is known, will it be possible to make a decision on this project."

Consequently the Minister was unable to give a definitive timescale for the completion of the project.

Asked in an Assembly Question to give details of the proposed service he stated: "The new satellite radiotherapy service will provide radiotherapy services, coupled with an increase in chemotherapy services.

"Radiotherapy services will be delivered from three linear accelerators for patients in the northwest of Northern Ireland and for patients from the Republic of Ireland.

"Patients will benefit from having their treatment delivered in one centre. This will ensure that the majority of patients from the northwest will have the opportunity to receive their radiotherapy treatment in conjunction with their chemotherapy treatment in one location comparatively close to where they reside."

He also advised the majority of cancer sufferers in the North West would benefit from the new facility.

He stated: "The business case for the Altnagelvin Satellite Radiotherapy Unit proposes that the unit will have the capacity to treat all patients with common cancers from the Western Trust area, the northern sector of the Northern Trust area, and patients from Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

"Those patients with more complex cancers (approximately 10 per cent of the catchment population) will continue to receive treatment at the Cancer Centre in Belfast or in the case of Republic of Ireland patients, at national treatment centres in the Republic."