CUH 13 short of the number of radiation therapists needed to work with cancer patients

The hospital is struggling to fill the roles which is put down to the low number of training places in the country

CUH has developed a bursary for students entering the MSc Radiation Therapy at University College Cork. In return, students commit to working for the HSE for two years after graduation. File picture: Larry Cummins

Cork University Hospital has 25% fewer radiation therapists than it needs to work with cancer patients, HSE Southwest has said.

The hospital is down the equivalent of 13.5 full-time radiation therapists, the Regional Health Forum South heard.

Confirmation of the figures comes after lung cancer patient Gillian Ryan described her fears about delays to the surveillance scans her doctors need in Cork to monitor her health.

Priscilla Lynch, integrated healthcare area manager Cork South and West, told the forum: “The most recent campaign to fill four clinical specialist RT posts secured one successful candidate." She said "there is a significant shortage of qualified candidates to fill these posts in the domestic talent pool market".

Another recruitment campaign is running this month. They have also hired an external recruitment agency to hire people from abroad. Ms Lynch said a derogation or exemption “from the HSE recruitment pause has ensured that recruitment of radiation therapists continues”.

Training

CUH has developed a bursary for students entering the MSc Radiation Therapy at University College Cork. In return, students commit to working for the HSE for two years after graduation.

Mr Horgan linked the problem to “the closed linear accelerator and CT Scanner” at the hospital. Siptu officials have been highlighting the closure of these machines in Cork and other cancer centres since early last year.

A key issue is the low number of training places as currently only UCC and Trinity College Dublin offer these courses. Trainees need lengthy practical placements which take place at five cancer units in Cork, Dublin and Galway.

A separate update from the Department of Health says agreement has been reached to have one tutor post at each to support the students. However, it appears these are not yet all in place. Up to now the equivalent of 1.5 roles are funded through the Higher Education Authority.

The department has approved funding for 3.5 more roles. However, this “will be provided on the basis that this will deliver at a minimum the proposed 68% increase in first year training places in radiation therapy and that capacity in Galway is fully availed of for clinical placements for both courses”.

The department, in response to questions from Fine Gael TD Colm Burke, acknowledged "robust governance agreements” are needed for the placements.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Gillian Ryan was diagnosed with lung cancer at 40 years of age, and now aged 43 continues to go through treatment. She spoke out in the Irish Examiner on Saturday to share her frustration that regular surveillance scans which should be done every six months are taking longer to complete.

“It is a surveillance scan to see where the cancer’s at, how it’s behaving. Basically I need a scan to see if I’m dying or not,” she said.

“I did relay how anxious this was making me, this was my life at the end of the day. I do think priority should be given to people who’re going through cancer.”