Radiotherapy for south-east in pipeline

RADIOTHERAPY for the people of Waterford and the south-east, based at Waterford Regional Hospital, was a step closer today.

Tánaiste and Health Minister, Mary Harney, has given the initial go-ahead for a private wing to be added to the hospital as part of a series of public private partnership (PPP) deals.

And consultants at the hospital say they are already planning a new wing which would include the long-awaited cancer service. Hospital medical board chairman and consultant pathologist, Dr Rob Landers, said they have spent the past three years working on a PPP deal and added he expects the Minister to confirm shortly that radiotherapy will be delivered for Waterford as part of such a deal.

“The Minister has assured us that the needs of Waterford will be looked after where radiotherapy is concerned under her national plan for radiotherapy, which will be delivered shortly,” he said.

The group announced plans for an 85-bed extension to the hospital earlier this year. The plan includes a dedicated oncology ward. “Several independent healthcare companies are interested in building this wing for us. We are ready to start talking to the HSE straight away and go to tender,” Dr Landers said.

“We would hope to be able to proceed relatively quickly and have this wing ready and up and running within a couple of years.”

Harlequin Healthcare Ltd. is one of the independent healthcare companies interested in helping the consultants develop the new wing. Joe Kelly, CEO, said the Tánaiste’s announcement is a positive and proactive step in the delivery of healthcare services to members of the general public, particularly in regional locations.

“Harlequin Healthcare is a strong supporter of this initiative and believes it will offer hospital patients the combined benefit of expertise from the public and private sector.

“Since 2003, we have been consulting with public hospitals and regional HSEs in areas in which we operate, to ensure our hospital services complement the existing public services.

“Following this announcement, our initial focus will be in Waterford, an area in which we have already expressed interest and where we have high regard for the chairman of the Medical Board and the hospital consultants.

“We are now keen to submit a proposal to the Department for a private hospital development on the Waterford Regional Hospital campus.”

Harlequin already manages St Joseph’s Hospital, Sligo and Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny.

Cancer campaigners have consistently said the best location for radiotherapy in the region is at Waterford Regional Hospital.

International best practice suggests that surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be provided at the same location.