Derry radiotherapy centre '˜state of the art'

Alan Moore, Director of Strategic Capital Development, WH&SCT, speaking to journalists at the site of the new Radiotherapy Centre on Monday. INLS0316-156KM

Alan Moore, Director of Strategic Capital Development with the Western Trust today told journalists who visited the construction site that the radiotherapy centre was on target to open this Autumn.

“Failure is not an option,” he said. “We will deliver this. It will be open in the Autumn - however, the date of the opening will be dependant on a number of factors, including the weather. When it does open, it will be one of the most modern facilities in Europe.”

The new radiotherapy centre will cater for more than half a million people living on both sides of the border: 417,000 within Northern Ireland and 110,000 south of the border. Annually, it will have the capacity to provide approximately 23,000 treatment fractions of external beam radiotherapy.

Pictured at the site of the new Radiotherapy Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital were, from left, Alan Moore, Director of Strategic Capital Development, WH&SCT, Deborah Kerr, Lead Pre-Treatment Radiographer, Elaine Reilly, Lead Treatment Radiographer, Dr David Stewart, Consultant Oncologist, Una Cardin, Radiotherapy Unit Manager, Margaret McIvor, Radiotherapy Project Lead, and Andrew Reilly, Head of Radiotherapy Physics. INLS0316-154KM

The centre will provide treatment for NI patients from Derry, Limavady, Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Moyle, and Ballymoney.

Mr Moore said the centre also marked one of the most significant cross border initiatives to date with the facility also open to patients from north to mid Donegal.

Mr. Andrew Reilly, Head of Radiotherapy Physics, said that radiotherapy equipment was being installed this week.

“It is now being tested to get it ready to bring to clinical use,” he said.

Gerry McBrearty, right, Commission Engineer for the Western Trust, looks over the plans with McLaughlin & Harvey staff members Jonathan Collins and Charlie McGleenan, on the site of the new Radiotherapy Centre. INLS0316-159KM

“This equipment will be the most advanced imaged and radiotherapy equipment in the world. It allows us to visualise cancer better than ever before and allows us to deliver doses with pin point accuracy over the course of the treatment and make sure it is tailored towards the individual.”

It was revealed that, at the end of next month, the Trust will be receiving the most advance machinery including an X-ray system which will be the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland.

Dr David Stewart, consultant oncologist, described the radiotherapy centre as a “state of the art facility.”

“Cancer is a difficult journey,” he said. “We don’t wish for patients to have to travel for treatment. More and more people are getting cancer but more and more people are living longer. 40% of those who are cured from cancer receive radiotherapy.”

Construction work is now continuing on the centre. The overall concrete structure is now on site, the underground car park has been completed and mechanical and electrical installations progressing.