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Radiotherapy centre is "key
priority" - CCC(NW)
24.01.11
CANCER group CCC(NW)
said it remains confident that the cross-border
radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin is a "key priority"
for health ministers, north and south.
Co-operating for Cancer Care (NorthWest)
spokesperson, Noelle Duddy, was responding to
Northern Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's recent
comments that there would be no money to run the
facility if built.
Ms Duddy said: “Although CCC(NW) acknowledges that
both ministers of health have difficult budgetary
decisions to make, we remain confident that both
ministers consider this project a key priority. As
we face elections in the South, we are also
confident that opposition parties support this
project.
“CCC(NW) is however frustrated by the delay in
approving this business case and believe that in the
best interest of cancer patients, it is now
essential that the business case is approved
immediately keeping any ‘slippage’ of time to
complete this project by autumn 2015 to a minimum." |
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Pictured at the recent meeting
between CCC(NW) and the Western Health and Social
Care Trust are, front from left, Noelle Duddy,
CCC(NW), Culdaff; Elaine Way, ceo, WHSCT; George
Friel, CCC(NW), Buncrana, Margaret McIvor, project
manager for Radiotherapy Unit, WHSCT and Margaret
Friel, CCC(NW), Buncrana. At back from left, Jim
O'Donnell, CCC(NW), Gweedore; Paula Cunningham, head
of service planning, WHSCT and Joe Lusby, deputy ceo,
WHSCT. |
CCC(NW) met with
officials from the Western Health & Social Care
Trust at Trust Headquarters, Altnagelvin Hospital on
Friday to discuss the proposed business case for the
North West Radiotherapy Unit (NWRU).
The group is also in contact with both departments
of health asking them to clarify when the business
case will be approved.
“CCC(NW) remains confident that both Letterkenny
General Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital are
working together, in partnership to develop clinical
pathways for patients so as to provide a world class
radiotherapy service for cancer patients in the
North West region. We believe North-South
cooperation for this radiotherapy unit is a win-win
situation for everyone: for cancer patients; for
healthcare professionals; for research and
development; for politicians and for the taxpayer on
either side of the border," added Ms Duddy. |
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