Poots Give Altnagelvin Green Light

At the end of last term in the NI Assembly, the previous health Minister Michael McGimpsey was under much pressure in not supporting the cancer unit at Altnagelvin. However, the new health Minister has quickly overturned this decision, and now local health campaigners in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area will be watching that space to see if Minister Poots intervenes in the decision by the SEHSCT to operate the Downe A&E without middle-grade doctors in the night shift from 10pm to 8am daily. Mr Poots said in making this much welcomed decision, “Making a decision on the proposed radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin was my first priority as Health Minister. It was vital that I took the time to look at all the evidence properly to reach the right decision for the right reasons. I have now thoroughly reviewed all the relevant information and I have decided to make the necessary funding – both current and capital – available. This amounts to £56million being made available to build the unit and an estimated additional £9million being made available over current service provision for running costs.” Earlier he told the Assembly, “Upon my appointment, I began to consider all aspects of this proposal. On my second day, I visited Altnagelvin to hear from staff and patients. This gave me a clearer understanding of the very real and human impact of this decision. “We must never be complacent about cancer. We must do all we can to respond to the challenge of this illness. And it is a challenge both in terms of the resources required to combat it and in terms of the sheer number of people affected. “Radiotherapy is one of the most effective means of beating cancer. Whilst the cancer centre at Belfast City hospital was designed to provide sufficient radiotherapy capacity for Northern Ireland up to 2015, we need to act now to ensure that the Altnagelvin Unit proceeds as planned. Delivery of this project is a high priority and it is anticipated that construction of the new centre will be completed by 2015 and the facility will be available in early 2016.” Mr Poots told the Assembly that there are 8,500 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland but with an ageing population, this number is likely to increase. He added, “The establishment of this new facility in Londonderry will mean that 90% of patients in Northern Ireland will be within one hour of a radiotherapy service. This will greatly ease the burden of travel on ill and frail patients.” Mr Poots confirmed that the authorities in the Republic of Ireland have given firm assurances that they will fully fund their share of the costs. The MInister has hit the ground running and local Down campaigners will be interested to see if he can continue his momentum.]]>