A Co Tyrone hospital has been chosen as one of two sites across Northern Ireland to host new diagnosis centres for cancer patients.
The Department of Health has confirmed the two Rapid Diagnosis Centres, the first of their kind in Northern Ireland, will be set up at the South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon and Whiteabbey Hospital.
It is hoped the specialist cancer clinics will help reduce the time for cancer diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.
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Figures released by the Department earlier this year showed that none of its cancer waiting time targets had been met.
As part of the new pilot programme, GPs in the Armagh, Dungannon and East Antrim areas are now able to refer patients into the new clinics. Those with ‘non-specific’ but concerning symptoms that do not meet the criteria for red flag cancer pathways will be referred to the centres.
In the absence of a Health Minister with the collapse of the NI Executive earlier this year, DoH Permanent Secretary Peter May says the new centres were a key part of the Department’s 10 year cancer strategy.
“This an important step forward in our ability to diagnose those harder to identify cancers, and is a key action set out in the Department’s Cancer Strategy,” May said.
“Most importantly, there is the opportunity to diagnose more people sooner and to improve both patient experience and outcomes.
“I am delighted to see these centres opening for patients after much hard work by all involved, and I look forward to their expansion over the next year.”
Chief Executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Dr Maria O’Kane said: “South Tyrone Hospital is an essential part of the Southern Trust acute hospital network.
“We are absolutely delighted that the hospital and our committed team will be involved in this innovative new regional pilot, helping to improve waiting times, enhancing the patient experience and potentially achieving the best possible outcomes for more local people.”
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