The radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry is to open on schedule, new Health Minister Jim Wells has announced.
The £60 million facility, which will serve cancer patients on both sides of the border throughout the North West, is due to open in 2016.
Previous Health Minister Edwin Poots had said its opening was in danger of being delayed because of a lack of funding for the provision of staff.
It was also feared 24-hour cardiac care lab would be scrapped.
However, speaking in the Assembly, Mr Wells said investment would be made in the during the current financial year so that it could be opened as intended.
He added: “The funds will also mean that the cath labs in Altnagelvin can continue to operate a vital 24/7 service as planned and that some further support can be provided to the voluntary and community sector and the family fund.”
The announcement has been welcomed by the chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, Derry Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin, who confirmation the centre was open open as planned was “good news.”
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan also welcomed the Minister’s confirmation.
He said: “The people of the North West – including our neighbours in Donegal – fought a hard campaign to secure the radiotherapy unit but due to the financial situation within the Executive a fresh cloud of uncertainty was created around the project with the previous minister claiming that while the unit would be built there would be no revenue budget to provide and train staff.”
Tags:
