Improved facilities for the treatment of cancer patients attending Beaumont Hospital, Dublin have been officially opened by Dr. Susan O’Reilly, Director of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme.
Representing an investment of approximately €750,000, 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 Beaumont.
The improved facilities involved moving the Day Oncology Ward into larger, refurbished premises and renovating its former facilities to provide larger, better space for the Colman K. Byrne Unit for haematological cancers.
The Day Oncology Ward provided almost 8,000 patient treatments in 2011, and the Colman K. Byrne Unit 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.
The new facilities have been designed to enhance the environment for patients, providing better privacy, light and space. The Day Oncology Ward now has consultation rooms which can also used as family meeting rooms and for multidisciplinary team meetings.
Speaking at the opening, Beaumont Chief Executive Mr Liam Duffy expressed gratitude for the support and generosity of many organisations and individuals who had helped to make the improvements in facilities possible. Funding was provided by patients, their families and friends, the National Cancer Control Programme, Beaumont Hospital Foundation, the Dublin Airport Authority and the Ross Nugent Foundation.
He said 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. 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, the new radiotherapy oncology facility and now the greatly improved facilities for day oncology patients and patients with haematological cancers.
“Crucially,” he added, “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
