New cancer centre sees medical talent returning home

Almost 220 additional staff will be based at the new £66m facility at Altnagelvin Hospital, with the local contingent joined by experts in radiotherapy and associated services from across the globe.

Speaking about the returning natives, Lead Clinical Oncologist at the North West Cancer Centre, Dr David Stewart, who has himself come back to work in Derry, said:

“These are people that have developed the skills and had their training in other places and we are very fortunate to have them back.”

He added that these were experienced people “who know how difficult cancer treatment is” and who were now “in a position where they can come back to their own community to do what they have trained for all those years”.

He added that the new centre has also attracted key staff from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland north and south, Australasia, the Americans and Africa.

Meanwhile Dan McLaughlin, Radiotherapy Service Manager, said the dedicated new facility created a pleasant and relaxing environment for people going through cancer treatment.

“It’s a very exciting development for us and we have been very keen to be involved in the planning and look forward to working with our colleagues in Belfast and our colleagues here to deliver a world class service for patients in the west of the province and in Donegal,” he said.