Radiotherapy centre will get the go-ahead

DUP Minister Poots yesterday visited the Londonderry hospital where he insisted that the issue was “number one in my in-tray” and the green light is expected to be given soon, with party insiders suggesting a positive announcement could come within the next two or three weeks.

He also said he acknowledged that long journeys facing people with cancer “are not conducive to the recovery process”. Mr Poots’ visit came as demands

continued to grow for answers about former Minister Michael McGimpsey’s eleventh hour decision not to proceed with the project, for which construction costs are estimated at between £47m and £52m.

Senior DUP councillor, Maurice Devenney called on the new Minister yesterday to conduct “a robust inquiry” into the events that led to Mr McGimpsey’s decision.

While the money was said to be available for the capital project, it was claimed revenue costs could not be found. Running costs would include the resources needed to begin training staff to work in the new unit and it is understood Mr Poots needs to identify around £16m to allow all aspects of the proposal to proceed.

Last week, the Sentinel revealed that, when Mr McGimpsey’s statement to the Assembly was first drafted on March 14, it included the announcement that construction could begin on the radiotherapy centre, which was identified as one of the Department of Health’s five highest priorities.

Documents showed that just over a couple of hours later, the project was stalled even though the previous draft said it needed to go ahead regardless of financial constraints.

Initially Mr McGimpsey’s decision sparked outrage in the North West amid claims that the decision was politically motivated.

Following our revelations last week, the new Health Minister is now facing calls from within his own party to investigate why the proposed radiotherapy centre was shelved by the man he has replaced.

DUP councillor, Maurice Devenney said: “The Sentinel’s story last week threw up some very serious questions that need to be answered. What happened in that two and a half hour time period that saw the radiotherapy unit removed from the highest priority list?

“It appears the Department of Health saw the radiotherapy centre as a priority, yet it was shelved. I call on the new Minister to carry out an in-depth investigation to find out the answers, and to make them public.

“We need to know the full truth of what went on before the announcement was made that left the radiotherapy unit on the shelf.”

Speaking to the Sentinel yesterday, Mr Poots said: “I recognise very clearly the requirements for the proposed radiotherapy unit.

“I requested the business case yesterday and I want to quickly arrive at a very informed decision. It is in my mind that people seeking to recover from cancer

and who need to travel almost two hours each way for treatment - that this is hugely traumatic and not the best way to help recovery.

“I am cogniscent of the effects of cancer treatment and that long travel times to and from Belfast are not conducive to the recovery process. This is the first issue in my in-tray and I will deal with it in an open and transparent way.”

Last week’s article sent shockwaves across the North West. DUP Assembly Member for West Tyrone Thomas Buchanan said that, had the Sentinel’s story emerged before the recent elections, Mr McGimpsey may have lost his seat.

Pensioner, Maisie Crawford has told us how she read the front page headline ‘City cancer centre: The shocking truth’ while travelling to Belfast for a scan and was stunned and angered at what she read.

She too has demanded answers, saying: “This service is needed by people on both sides of the border. The money was forthcoming from the Republic and is still there, and if the politicians stopped dragging their heels...”

Maisie was one of the lobbyists to meet the new Minister at Stormont on Monday. The Pink Ladies travelled up from Londonderry to demand that the radiotherapy centre decision be reversed as soon as possible.