LOCAL campaigners have welcomed the consultation process taking place ahead of the building of the new radiotherapy unit in Derry which will serve people in Donegal when completed.
Co-operating for Cancer Care NorthWest, CCC(NW), says members were very pleased to attend focus group meetings in Derry and Donegal Town last week, organized by members of the Radiotherapy Unit Project Team at Altnagelvin.
Spokeswoman Noelle Duddy said: “The focus groups afforded patients and families with experience of radiotherapy treatments the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the design and development of the Unit. Having listened to an overview on how the project is advancing we were invited to offer our contributions. Everyone’s suggestions, observations and/or questions were noted.
“It was a very useful and welcomed exercise that will ensure that the Unit will reflect actual patient’s thoughts on how to enhance future cancer patient’s care. Along with the other contributors, CCC(NW) applauded the sterling work of the Western Health & Social Care Trust, (WH&SCT), the Project Team and Sub-Committees.
“We encourage members of the public with experience of radiotherapy, if they can, to attend these meetings. The next meeting in Donegal is in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny at 7.00pm on Tuesday 12 March 2013. Some other venues include: Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane, Wednesday 6 March at 7.00pm and the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry, Thursday 14 March at 7.00pm. Further information can be accessed at www.westerntrust.hscni.net”
Said Noelle Duddy, “The hard work is over for CCC(NW), we have been lobbying for this unit for nearly 8 years. Our goal was to help turn the possibility of a cross border radiotherapy unit in the North West into a reality. We lobbied the length and breadth of this island, we lobbied in Leinster House and Stormont Castle, in Council Chambers, on the streets of Dublin, Derry and Letterkenny, we lobbied politicians and health officials from both sides of the border and we brought our campaign into the homes of every town and townland in Donegal. Our message was simple and easy to understand – the people of Donegal and the North West Region needed a radiotherapy unit in either Letterkenny General or Altnagelvin Hospital to treat cancer patients locally and we needed to work together, speaking with one united voice to achieve this goal.”
“It has often been a journey of highs and lows, steep learning curves and periods of disappointments and frustrations but we have always remained optimistic and confident that this cross border project would be approved because with our help it became a ‘top priority’ not just for both Departments of Health but also for politicians and political parties on either side of the border. CCC(NW) has been impressed by the ‘good will’ of the decision makers to make this project happen. We were therefore also delighted to learn on Friday the speed in which planning for the Unit has been approved. In just 11 weeks approval has been granted. This is testament to the sincerity of the Northern Assembly in ensuring that this facility is being given priority to ensure that it will be operational by mid 2016. CCC(NW) is in no doubt that if it is at all humanly possible to complete this project before the above mentioned date, it will be done, such is the level of commitment.”
“Over the years we have developed very good working relationships with management from Letterkenny General Hospital (LGH) and the WHSCT at Altnagelvin. We believe that the central ethos for this unit must be one of social inclusion, equal access according to clinical need and true cross border collaboration based on LGH, Altnagelvin and both Health Boards working to develop each other’s strengths. Both Hospitals and Health Boards must have ownership of these co-funded services so that a comprehensive, fluent, seamless cancer/radiotherapy service is provided for all cancer patients in the North West Region. CCC(NW) remains confident that staff from both Letterkenny and Altnagelvin Hospitals continues to work together, in collaboration to develop a world class radiotherapy service in the NW for cancer patients.”
“Let us remind ourselves why we need a Radiotherapy Unit in the North West Region. One in three people are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime one in four will die from cancer. 50 – 60% of cancer treatments involve radiotherapy. Treatment requires the patient to attend a radiotherapy unit, usually daily, Monday – Friday for several weeks, often travelling distressing hundreds of miles for treatment, and coping with an added financial burden. Depending on treatment prescription, treatment varies from days to weeks. Breast and prostate cancer treatments may last between 4 and 7 weeks. Each actual treatment session lasts for several minutes.”
“As it stands, Donegal and its environs do not have a large enough population to safely sustain a radiotherapy unit and neither do the WHSCT. However, as a region, the North West’s population exceeds 500,000 and by joining together the populations on either side of the Border, the ‘critical mass’ required to safely provide a cross border radiotherapy service can be achieved. As a region, the North West is co-dependent on both jurisdictions accepting responsibility to provide its people with a Radiotherapy Unit. The NW is currently the only region on this island without reasonable access to radiotherapy services.”
“This Unit will make a big difference to cancer patients lives. When it is operational the majority of cancer patients in Donegal/NW requiring radiotherapy will be able to receive their treatment near to home, families and friends. We believe this Unit will save and/or extend more patients lives. Patients who currently have to refuse treatment because they are unable to travel to Dublin, Galway or Belfast, will be able to accept and avail of treatment, thus improving their prognosis. Patients requiring palliative radiotherapy, to ease their pain, increase mobility and enhance their quality of lives in their final weeks/months will be able to access treatment more easily. Donegal patients will continue to receive their chemotherapy treatments in Letterkenny’s excellent Oncology Unit. The NWRU is a very successful good news story for this region and the services it will provide will do nothing short of strengthening and enhancing cancer services for patients in Donegal/NW.”
“The North West Radiotherapy Unit may well prove to be one of the most important healthcare developments in this Region not just for cancer patients but it may serve as a template for future cooperation in cross border healthcare projects. CCC(NW) very much welcomed in Minister Poots May 2011 statement recognition that ‘the location of the new centre in the Northwest also provides the opportunity for genuine, sustainable and meaningful cross-border co-operation and that it has the potential to deliver real mutual benefits to both jurisdictions’. We also welcomed the approval of the ‘North – South Feasibility Study’ by both Departments of Health and we welcomed the Joint Committee on Health and Children and the NI Assembly’s Health Committee meeting in Leinster House to discuss ‘Cross Border Co-operation on Healthcare’ in March last year. CCC(NW) believe increased North-South co-operation in healthcare is a win, win situation for everyone: for the patient, healthcare provider and tax payer on either side of the border.”