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CCCNW continues push for radiation
unit
07.04.10
by Kevin Kelly, Inishowen Independent
CO-OPERATION for Cancer Care Northwest (CCCNW) has
vowed to continue lobbying the HSE for the
establishment of a dedicated radiation unit for the
region in Derry. The Department of Health and their
Northern Ireland counterparts are currently
investigating how to establish the service in the
campus of Altnagelvin Hospital to serve the greater
Northwest area.
It is understood that both bodies are currently
examining a business plan for the venture with plans
been described as at an advanced stage. |
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The matter of the unit
was raised on a recent RTE Frontline programme by a
delegation from CCCNW who were invited to take part
in the special show focusing on the Irish health
service.
Speaking after the show Noelle Duddy, CCCNW
spokesperson, said: “It is always a useful exercise
to attend a media event especially when you have
access to HSE reps and the Minister for Health. |
Anyone watching Monday
night’s show would have seen it was a worthwhile
event. It was an open exchange of views on a wide
range of issues not alone cancer services and CCCNW
will continue to take part in forums which allow us
to highlight our campaign.”
The group have been lobbying for the retention of
cancer services and a dedicated radiation service
for the region. “Donegal is geographically isolated
from the southern system and politically isolated
from the North,” Duddy said. “It is for this reason
it is important that we continue to push for cancer
services for the Northwest, we have achieved a lot
through our work but it is now essential that the
promised radiation unit for the region is delivered
upon, the time for talking is over.”
The proposal currently on the table will see the
provision of a specialised unit to provide radiation
treatment in Altnagelvin. The cross border scheme is
designed to cover Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim in the
Republic and Derry and Fermanagh in the North. This
is to reach critical mass population necessary for
the service.
“We would have loved the radiation service to be
placed in the grounds of Letterkenny hospital,” Mrs
Duddy said. “However, this wasn’t realistic given
the county’s population. The unit planned in Derry
is a good alternative; we just want to see it coming
on stream as soon as possible.”
Given the nature of the treatment to be supplied in
the unit special building provisions are required
like thicker than normal walls. CCCNW are confident
that the radiation unit for the northwest will be
operational by 2015 if final go ahead for the
project is approved in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the rollout of BreastCheck is continuing
across the county. While no definite date has been
confirmed for when Inishowen women will be screened,
Duddy is confident that it will happen before the
end of the year.
“BreastCheck is currently working in the western
part of the county and I would hope the Inishowen
service will be up and running before the end of the
year,” she said. |
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