Authority includes radiotherapy in regional blueprint

A RADIOTHERAPY service has been included in a blueprint for the development of the South-East region.

The South-East Regional Authority included plans for the service in its regional planning guidelines for the area. The move came despite reservations about such a move by some officials sitting on the development board.

At a meeting in Carlow yesterday, the authority adopted the plan for the region.

However, Fine Gael’s Paudie Coffey was among those who said they would not adopt the plan for the region, without the inclusion of scope for radiotherapy services for the region in the future.

He said it’s the first time that the authority has really voted with its feet and flexed its muscles in the matter.

“The power of the councillor has now come home. We have included in the plan now a full range of cancer treatment services, including radiotherapy.

“This is contrary to government policy, but I would hope that it would send a clear message to government that radiotherapy is needed in this region,” he said in an interview with WLR FM.

He said there is no reason why provision should not be made for such a service and insisted that nobody is forced to tow the government line in the matter. “Government policy does not suit the South-East region.

“We are elected to reflect the views of the people of the South-East and they want radiotherapy.

“Radiotherapy is now in the official planning guidelines for the region going forward. We hope that Government policy might also now change to suit this,” he said.

Pressure for full cancer services for the region is set to intensify in the run-up to the local and European elections next month. Another protest march through Waterford City is planned and voters are being asked to ask those looking for votes on their doorstep where they stand on the issue.

Several parties in the Waterford area have said they cannot support a local campaign by some for voters to abstain from going to the ballot box in protest over the government’s commitment to deliver such a service in the area.