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Satellite Radiation Unit for North West

The Progressive Democrat’s in their 2002 Election Manifesto (p.67) make a commitment with regard to cancer care. They state:

“The Progressive Democrats will ensure that in the next Government, regional cancer care centres are established so that patients do not have to travel 100 miles for ongoing radiotherapy. This will be an immediate priority for us.”

On 25 July 2005 the Minister for Health announced Government approval for a national network for radiation oncology services to be in place by 2011. The network will enable patients to receive the best possible diagnosis and care. No provision was made for providing a satellite radiation unit in the North West, only a very vague aspiration to do so and then to link it with Belfast.

With regards to recent developments regarding developing radiation services in the NW, An Tánaiste stated in a written response to Caoimghín O’Caoláin, TD, on 19 May 2006 that:

“The Government considers that in the short term, the best option in terms of improving geographic access for patients in the North West is to facilitate access for those patients to radiation oncology services as part of the North/South co-operation on cancer. … As regards progressing the consideration of a satellite in the North West, the first priority is to deliver access for cancer patients in the North West to BCH as early as possible and thereafter to build on positive working relationships to deliver on this commitment. The issue of a satellite centre in the North West will continue to be progressed as a joint initiative involving bilateral discussions at departmental and political levels.”

There is a lot of confusion and debate as to when and where a satellite radiation unit will be provided for the North West. One thing is for sure, Belfast is not the solution to the problem for the people of Donegal. Belfast, at this point in time offers some Donegal patients the option of choice of treatment in Belfast as opposed to Dublin/Galway. The North West needs a satellite radiation unit, linked to the national network that will treat the people of the North West nearer to their families and friends. However, it would appear from reading the above that Donegal patients will be dependant on the Northern authorities to decide on when and where a unit may be provided in the North West. This is not satisfactory to DACC.

DACC asks An Tánaiste to set a date to hold urgent ‘round table talks’ with all bodies (including DACC), with an interest/responsibility in providing radiation services to Donegal/NW in order to clarify the current situation and to discuss how the provision of a satellite radiation unit in Donegal/NW can become a reality.