Derry cancer centre gets backing

The Stormont health minister has given backing to a controversial cross-Border cancer radiotherapy centre to be based in Derry…

The Stormont health minister has given backing to a controversial cross-Border cancer radiotherapy centre to be based in Derry.

Edwin Poots told the Assembly he was reversing an earlier decision not to proceed with the £65 million (€74.6 million) centre, which is to be supported by the Irish Government to the tune of €19 million.

Former health minister Michael McGimpsey told a closing session of the last Assembly in March he could not proceed with the investment at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry on account of budgetary problems.

However Mr Poots said he would find the necessary funds and confirmed the Irish Government remained committed to the project, which will offer radiotherapy services to cancer sufferers across the northwest.

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"Making a decision on the proposed radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin was my first priority as health minister," Mr Poots said.

"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 £56 million being made available to build the unit and an estimated additional £9 million 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."

The planned centre is due to be completed in 2016.