St Luke's Hospital in Dublin today said that there would be €13 million invested in cancer care despite confirming its intention to move oncology services to St James's Hospital by 2011.
A campaign to stop the move from the Rathgar hospital was formally launched today with the backing of candidates standing in the upcoming General Election.
The People Against Profit Alliance joined with the Retention of St Luke's Campaign and announced a campaign which will include a protest outside the Dáil and the office of local TD and Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell.
St Luke's Hospital patient Joe Guilfoyle who began the campaign said he had collected more than 100,000 signatures since last November opposing the closure.
He said the hospital was more than a facility for drugs and treatment. "The peace and tranquillity you feel there is almost a therapy in itself."
The hospital's board, in partnership with The Friends of St Luke's, is exploring the possibility of retaining the site as a resource for patients and their families.
In a statement this afternoon, the hospital said the transfer of services was part of the National Development of Radiation Oncology Services, as announced by the Government in July 2005.
"The commitment, expertise, tradition and ethos of St Luke's Hospital and its staff will form an integral part of the new national radiotherapy network," the hospital said.
Over €13 million had been allocated by the Health Service Executive for additional capacity.
"This investment will increase St Luke's radiotherapy capacity by 25 per cent and is in addition to the replacement of existing treatment capacity that is reaching the end of its clinical life," the hospital said.