Construction of €15m cancer unit to start in 2008

WORK ON a new €15 million cancer services unit to cater for the south-east is expected to start at Waterford Regional Hospital next year, with a €10.5m expansion of the emergency department also due to get under way.

Responding to recent criticisms of the delay in providing cancer services in Waterford, hospital group network manager Richard Dooley has said that the unit is being “fast-tracked” as part of the HSE’s 2007-2011 rolling capital plan.

A design team of architects and engineers, in consultation with medical cancer treatment experts, is due to work on the project later this year, with construction set to start in 2008.

The new unit will include 42 in-patient beds, 30 day treatment places and an associated pharmacy.

Works are scheduled this year to refurbish the existing chemotherapy daycare facilities at Waterford, according to Mr Dooley and hospital general manager Patricia Sullivan.

The HSE is also developing a specialist in-patient unit for palliative care services following a proposal from the Waterford Voluntary Hospice Movement.