Hay backscentre call

A new centre is urgently needed to relieve pressure on existing cancer services at Belfast which are expected to reach capacity in 2015.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey repeatedly cautioned that it was impossible to give a firm commitment on the proposed new cancer radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin until money for the project was guaranteed by the Executive.

Last week Mr McGimpsey said he had the money to build the centre but that he wouldn’t have the resources to staff and run it once the facility was built.

The DUP, SDLP and Sinn Féin have insisted that the centre must go ahead and have signed a joint statement calling on the Health Minister to deliver.

The statement was endorsed by each Assembly member for Foyle including William Hay (DUP), Martina Anderson (Sinn Féin), Mary Bradley (SDLP), Pól Callaghan (SDLP), Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin) and Pat Ramsey (SDLP).

“The case for this facility has been well-made. The funds to deliver it have been identified by both administrations on the island and the commitment to deliver it must be honoured,” the statement reads.

“It is a desperately needed facility which will help alleviate some of the suffering endured by cancer patients throughout the North West who currently have to endure debilitating journeys to either Belfast or Dublin for life-saving treatment.

“Radiotherapy capacity is needed at Altnagelvin Hospital. That is a fact which is recognised by everyone, including Minister McGimpsey who has repeatedly stated that it is a priority for his department.

“We share the concerns of cancer patients, their families and the wider public in the North West at recent comments by Minister McGimpsey in which he warned that he may not be able to meet the cost of running a radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin.

“We are calling on the Minister to review that position. He has made previous commitments to provide radiotherapy services at Altnagelvin and he now needs to deliver on them.”