A fit-for-purpose Cancer Centre must be delivered for the West and North West as a matter of urgency.
That's according to Professor Michael Kerin of the Saolta-NUI Galway Cancer Network who believes it's unacceptable that some people in this region have limited access to treatment and surgeries at present.
Professor Kerin is welcoming news that a new cancer centre at Galway University Hospital has been included in the National Development Plan which will include almost 200 inpatient beds as well as outpatient services.
Plans also include a regional network for patients to access chemotherapy at bases in Letterkenny, Sligo and Castlebar.
The centre director hopes the project can be delivered within the next three years and is urging the public to put pressure on the Government to ensure its delivery:
"I think it is important for every person to put some pressure on their local politicians the key stakeholders here.
With their support I would see significant work starting immediately.
We need to get a strategic assessment report and a preliminary business case so the development is done very quickly and then we hope to appoint a design team to design and develop the project over the course of the next few months."
