Radiographers battle backlog for cancer patients

Radiographers at Cork University Hospital have agreed to extend their working day after concerns that some cancer patients are not receiving radiotherapy within the recommended timeframe.

The HSE target states that 90% of patients undergoing radical radiotherapy should commence treatment within 15 working days of their doctor deeming them ready to treat.

However, Dr Paul Kelly, a consultant radiation oncologist at CUH, said they had been operating “at max capacity” before Christmas and had been unable to meet the 15-day target in some breast cancer and prostate cancer cases.