Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:198 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when the radiotherapy unit under construction in Galway will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5718/03]
Written Answers - Hospitals Building Programme.
The new radiotherapy department under construction at University College Hospital Galway will be completed around mid-2003. The Department will require highly specialised radiotherapy equipment which is on order. On completion of manufacturing and initial calibration, it will take approximately nine months to commission the equipment on site in Galway and have it quality assured prior to clinical use in the treatment of patients.
The Western Health Board has submitted staffing requirements for the radiotherapy department and these are being examined by my Department at present. This supra-regional centre in Galway will provide radiation oncology services to patients in the Western, North-Western and Mid-Western Health Boards. I am fully committed to the provision of additional radiotherapy services in Galway as early as possible.