Cancer society backs 300m plan for care services

CONCENTRATING radiotherapy services in centres of excellence in Dublin, Cork and Galway was in the best interests of all patients, the Irish Cancer Society said yesterday.

While services should be delivered as close to the patients’ home as possible, the overriding priority must be to provide the best opportunity for curing patients, the society insisted.

Health Minister Micheál Martin is now proceeding with the development of a clinical network of large centres, recommended in a major review of the State’s radiotherapy services. He believes it is the best model to rapidly provide a radiation oncology service.