Cross border cancer centre set to open in 16 weeks
Staff receive training and furniture is fitted at Radiotherapy Unit
By Katie Barr
THE NEW cross border Radiotherapy Unit, which will see Inishowen people receive cancer treatment in Derry for the first time, is due to open within the next 16 weeks.
Staff recruitment and training are also ongoing ahead of the opening later this year.
Centre Manager Una Cardin said treatment services will begin in late November with full ‘operation capability’ by February 2017.
Ms. Cardin said it is a ‘very busy and exciting time’ for all the staff involved in the Radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Last month the therapeutic radiographers started their detailed training to use the new multi-million pound machines CT and scanning machines.
Annemarie Lynch, Therapy Radiographer Team Leader said these demonstrate some of the latest technology currently available in the treatment of cancer.
“We are going to have three treatment machines at Altnagelvin,” she said. “These machine will deliver radiotherapy to approximately 1500 cancer patients per year.
“Furthermore the MRI scanner will be delivered to the building this week and installation by the supplier will commence thereafter. This is the start of the final stage of major equipment installation in advance of opening,”
While a large number of staff, including consultant oncologists, junior doctors, radiographers and nurses, there are positions still available at the state-of-the-art cancer centre.
Annemarie says the consultants are currently establishing training programmes to support the doctors while the radiography team are recruiting the final positions, which are specialist roles in education and radiotherapy technology.
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