A new ?56m radiotherapy unit is to be built at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry, Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced.
Mr Poots said: "I have decided that the delivery of this project is a high-priority and I have confirmed that I will make the necessary funding, both current and capital, available.
"To delay or fail would miss a valuable opportunity to improve service provision for future cancer patients.
"This proposal will deliver important benefits, not just for people living in the North West, but also for Northern Ireland as a whole."
Mr Poots told the Assembly that he was releasing the ?56m needed to build the unit and he also committed to providing an extra ?9m for annual operating costs, bringing the provisional amount available to run the centre to around ?22/23m a year.
He said the authorities in Dublin had given "firm assurances" that they will honour their ?19m (?16.4m) funding commitment.
It is understood that the construction of the new centre will be completed by 2015 and the facility will be available in early 2016.
This will greatly ease the burden of travel on ill and frail patients.
Health Minister Edwin Poots
The former health minister, Michael McGimpsey, has previously stated that there was not enough funds for the unit.
Cancer sufferers in the North West have had to travel to Belfast for treatment.
Mr Poots said: "The establishment of this new facility in Londonderry will mean that 90% of patients in Northern Ireland will be within one hour of a radiotherapy service.
Sinn F?in Junior Minister Martina Anderson has welcomed the decision, saying: "I welcome the fact that the Minister has arrived at the correct decision and thank him for doing it so quickly after only taking office last week.
"I would also like to thank the Pink Ladies and the other pressure groups for their tireless work on this issue as I believe that this decision would never have happened without their campaign."
SDLP health spokesperson Mark Durkan said: "This is not just a victory for Foyle, it's a victory for common sense.
"I welcome this decision and congratulate the minister for showing common sense.
"This cause has unified cancer sufferers, health professionals, political parties and the people of the greater northwest."
DUP MLA for East Londonderry George Robinson said: "Today we have seen the Minister prioritise his agenda, to put people first, and I warmly welcome his decision and congratulate him on making this decision so promptly after taking office.
"The go ahead announced today is to the benefit of very many people in the North West of Northern Ireland, and was taken after consultation with patients and cancer specialists."
??UTV News
Source: http://www.u.tv/News/Altnagelvin-cancer-unit-gets-go-ahead/179ecfc1-6393-4644-bd48-ab4659338a80
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