WHSST says Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit is on track for Autumn opening

The Western Health and Social Services Trust says the development of the new Radiotherapy Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry remains on track for opening in autumn 2016.
In its latest update published this morning, the trust says the main focus is now turning from construction to the design and delivery of high quality patient services.
The trust says parts of the the new oncology facility have already been completed. The refurbished Chemotherapy Unit is now open and operational, and the treatment areas within the Radiotherapy Centre have also been finished. The Linear Accelerators are in place, and expert engineers are currently onsite installing these machines.

Fiona Beattie, the Assistant Director of Cancer Services says feedback from both patients and staff is good, and she believes the outstanding quality of these two areas gives an insight into what to expect when the Centre is complete.
Ms Beattie also says there has been significant developments in staffing across all of the professional groups, including Consultant Oncologists, Medical Physics staff and Therapeutic Radiographers.
Work is ongoing across the Western, Northern and Belfast Health Trusts, as well as with colleagues in Donegal, Dublin and Galway, to develop safe and deliverable patient pathways.
The new unit, which is being part funded by the Irish Government, will cover the whole of the North West, including Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and parts of Sligo.