Some 60 patients have received treatment at Galway's new radiotherapy unit in its first six weeks of operation.
Minister of Health Mary Harney will officially open the facility in University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG), on June 2nd. It will bring to an end the need for cancer patients to travel to Dublin for treatment.
Already 18 patients have completed their radiotherapy treatment at the new Galway centre. The Health Service Executive (HSE) (west) has confirmed that public patients are no longer being referred to the private Galway clinic in Doughuisce for radiotherapy treatment.
Two of three oncologists, Dr Maeve Pomeroy and Dr Frank Sullivan, have taken up their posts at UCHG. The remaining position has been readvertised, and it is expected to be filled within the year.
The HSE (west) said the delay in appointing the third oncologist was not restricting the number of patients who could avail of treatment at the unit. It said it would take some months for the service to build up to full capacity.
"We are working closely with St Luke's hospital in Rathgar for the transition of patients to our service. This is a complex service, and will take some time to fully develop," said a HSE (west) spokesman.