The HSE South West region has opened the country’s first protected theatre resource dedicated to cancer prevention surgery for people at high risk – and one of only a handful across Europe.
Professor Mark Corrigan Consultant Surgical Oncologist with an interest in Preventative Surgical Oncology and Clinical Lead Transforming Theatre Programme, said the new resource was a major step forward for cancer prevention in Ireland and Europe.
“For the first time in Ireland, a theatre resource has been formally committed in this way to surgical prevention. This achievement has been driven by regional leadership and collaboration – bringing together patients, surgical oncologists, genetics services, community health and wellbeing teams, plastic surgeons, UCC, CUH Charity, acute hospitals, the Transforming Theatre Programme, and our cancer centre at Cork University Hospital.
“Supported by the NCCP, with surgery delivered at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and in partnership with Cork University Hospital, this initiative reflects the progressive spirit of the South West region and the vision of Sláintecare.
“The impact will be profound:
- Hundreds of people will be spared from ever developing cancer.
- Families will be spared the trauma of diagnosis.
- Millions will be saved for reinvestment in other critical healthcare needs.
“This is not only a proud moment for our region and our patients – it is the creation of a scalable European model for cancer prevention. Huge credit to the brilliant team who made this possible.”
