Print PageBeaumont Hospital Opens Improved Facilities for Cancer Patients
Friday March 09, 2012
Improved facilities for the treatment of cancer patients attending Beaumont Hospital were officially opened today (9.3.2012) by Dr Susan O’Reilly, Director of the 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 the hospital.
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.
The new facilities 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 used as family meeting rooms and as for multidisciplinary team meetings.
The upgrading of facilities has been made possible through the support and generosity of many organisations and individuals. Funding has been provided by patients, their families and friends, the National Cancer Control Programme, Beaumont Hospital Foundation, the Dublin Airport Authority and the Ross Nugent Foundation.
Speaking at the opening today, Beaumont’s CEO Mr 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 be formally opened by the Minister for Health next week, and now greatly improved facilities for day patients and patients with haematological cancers, he said.
“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.”