Last Autumn, I agreed with the then Minister for Health for Northern Ireland that the radiation oncology centre at BCH would provide treatment for patients from Donegal. A Project Board was established under the aegis of Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) to deliver on this commitment. It included representatives from BCH, Altnagelvin, Letterkenny, the HSE and both Departments.
At the last meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Council on 24 October 2006, it was announced that agreement has been reached for the referral of about 50 radiation oncology patients annually from Donegal to BCH. It has also been agreed that the number will be increased if there is sufficient demand from patients in Donegal. Patient pathways have been developed and the HSE and BCH have agreed the basis for costing the service provided by BCH. Three assessment clinics will be held each month on an ongoing basis. The first referral clinic took place on 8th November and the first patient has already been referred for treatment.
