Funding clarity needed on cancer unit

The Minister originally announced the new satellite radiotherapy centre in April 2008 saying it was expected to be in place by 2015.

But in March this year Mr McGimpsey warned that budget reductions could affect planned capital projects across Northern Ireland including the Altnagelvin radiotherapy unit and that it was vital to ensure money was there to both build and operate the unit when it is completed.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) subsequently submitted a business case for the unit in April but Mr McGimpsey has again been unable to give a firm commitment on the facility saying the "necessary funding" must be in place before this happens.

Asked by Foyle MLA Martina Anderson when a decision would be made on the business case the Health Minister explained: "The Western HSC Trust submitted a business case for the establishment of a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital to my Department in April 2010 for consideration.

"A decision on approval cannot be made until this has been fully appraised, any issues addressed, and there is clarity around the available funding."

The new unit - a satellite of Belfast City Hospital - was two years ago heralded as a future provider of additional radiotherapy capacity vital to meet an anticipated increase in cancer in the North West and in Northern Ireland as a whole.

Mr McGimpsey went on to say: "As I announced in April 2008, it is planned that a satellite radiotherapy unit is to be developed at Altnagelvin Area Hospital to meet future radiotherapy demands.

"A business case for its development, including the detailed plans for the services to be provided, was submitted by the Western Trust to my Department in April 2010.

"A number of matters of detail remain to be addressed and the HSC Board is working with the Western Trust on these.

"Until the business case has been approved, and the necessary funding is in place to deliver the project, I am unable to provide more detailed comment on the scheme however it is still envisaged that the satellite radiotherapy service will be in place, as planned, during 2015."