THERE was some good news on the Northside in the area
of health recently when Beaumont Hospital officially opened improved facilities
for cancer patients.
Representing an investment of approximately e750,000,
the reconfiguration and refurbishment of space within the hospital reflects the
growing demand for chemotherapy treatments provided on a day case basis, as
well as treatment of patients with haematological cancers.
Last year some 14,000 such treatments were provided in
the hospital.
Larger
The improved facilities comprise movement of the Day
Oncology Ward into larger, refurbished premises and renovation of its former
facilities to provide larger, better space for the Colman K Byrnes Unit for
haematological cancers.
The Day Oncology Ward provided almost 8,000 patient
treatments in 2011, and CKB provided almost 6,000 treatments.
As well as day treatments, patients attending the two
units can go directly to these areas for support when necessary, avoiding
unnecessary presentations at the Emergency Department and admissions as
inpatients.
Enhance
The new facilities, opened by Dr Susan O’Reilly,
Director of the National Cancer Control Programme, have been designed to
enhance the environment for patients, especially in respect of privacy, light
and space.
The Day Oncology Ward now has consultation rooms which
can also be used as family meeting rooms and for multidisciplinary team
meetings.
The upgrading of facilities has been made possible
through the support and generosity of many organisations and individuals.
Patients, their families and friends, the National
Cancer Control Programme, Beaumont Hospital Foundation, the Dublin Airport Authority
and the Ross Nugent Foundation all provided funding for the new facilities.
Gratitude
Speaking at the opening, Beaumont’s chief executive
Liam Duffy expressed gratitude to everyone who had helped to make the
improvements in facilities possible.
“They were part of a much bigger picture in terms of
cancer services and reflected the hospital’s genuine commitment to meeting the
needs of this growing group of patients,
? he said.
“Beaumont, as a designated cancer centre, has had
significant investment in a state-of-the-art mammography unit, a rapid access
prostate unit and cancer services, a new radiotherapy oncology facility which
will be formally opened by the Minister for Health, and now greatly improved
facilities for day patients and patients with haematological cancers,
? Mr Duffy
said.
Positive
“Crucially, the provision of well integrated services
on the Beaumont campus is already having a positive effect on patient outcomes,
which is the real bottom line for all of us concerned with the delivery of health
services in Ireland today.
?
Dublin North TDs Sean Kenny (Lab) and Terence Flanagan
(FG), and Artane Whitehall ward councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) welcomed the
opening of the new facilities.