Staff at a new oncology unit in Galway have begun treating the first cancer patients to use the facility.
The centre, serving the west and north-west, will open on a phased basis over the coming months.
Located on the grounds of University Hospital Galway, the multi-million euro development has been planned for years.
It has been designed to accommodate cutting edge technology, with an emphasis on ensuring the building is future proofed for emerging treatment methods too.
Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Dr Cormac Small, says it will make for a more comfortable environment for both patients and staff.
Services will be moved from the existing oncology unit at UHG over the next six months, with new patients commencing treatments at the new site.
The 8,000 square metre building has six radiotherapy treatment vaults; four of which will be operational by the end of the year. All have machines that feature linear accelerator technology, to improve imaging and allow for more precise targeting of disease. In turn this can help reduce side effects.
The facility will also offer stereotactic treatment, giving radiotherapy from different angles around the body. Until now, any patients from the region requiring this would have had to travel to Dublin.
Dr Small has described this as a gamechanger for the west and north-west because as well as reducing travel times, the technology can also be employed to provide more focused radiation doses, cutting the duration of treatment.
The facility has become operational amid ongoing recruitment and retention issues in relation to radiotherapy positions. Patient advocates say there are causing treatment delays and frustrate those waiting for care.
Richard Flaherty, the Chief Executive of Cancer Care West, said it was essential that resources were provided to ensure the new unit can operate at full capacity as soon as possible.
"With around 50% of cancer patients needing radiotherapy, there is a huge demand for staff to provide that care. Patients worry about delays to their own treatment schedules and it does impact on them at a time when they have a lot going on."
Management at UHG says its cognisant of the staffing pressures in this regard and that a number of initiatives are being undertaken to try and avoid a shortfall here.
Plans are in place to almost double the number of radiation therapists from 25 to 46, along with a new initiative to encourage graduates to come and work in Galway.
The HSE says the new Oncology Unit will be fully operational by the autumn.
