Belfast Cancer Care Centre
In NI around 8,700 new cancers are diagnosed each year with approximately 3,800 cancer related deaths. One in three people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Cancer outcomes in NI were among the worst in Western Europe. This led to the Chief Medical Officer’s report “Cancer Services – Investing for the future” being published in 1996. Dr Campbell’s report speeded up the re-development of cancer services in NI.
Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy services provided in Belvoir Park Hospital moved on 17th March 2006 into the purpose build £60 million Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital and merged with the existing cancer services on that site.
The new Cancer Centre provides:
- • Research and training
- • Clinical trials and academic research
- • Specialist diagnostic facilities
- • Multidisciplinary expertise for common cancers and other less common cancers
- • Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy
The Cancer Centre aims to provide a holistic and patient-centered approach to cancer care. It encourages unified cancer teamwork and the best use of cancer care skills and resources.
Many related health care professionals are based in the Cancer Centre such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians. There are also many counselling/interview rooms throughout the building. Accommodation is also provided for medical and other staff.
In 2001 a new 30 bed inpatient haemato-oncology unit with 10 bone marrow transplant rooms opened at Belfast City Hospital. In 2003 a new £4 million Oncology and Haematology Day Centre was opened at Belfast City Hospital (The Bridgewater Suite).
The development of a comprehensive Cancer Centre as advised by the Campbell plan is a mark of progress of cancer services in NI. Also the formation of integrated programmes of cancer care should ensure the highest quality of care for cancer patients in NI.