Major plans for a world-leading lab which will produce radioactive substances that are critical for cancer diagnosis and treatment have been announced by the Welsh Government. The government says the development of the lab address a fast-approaching supply crisis for nuclear medicine around the world.
They say that in the UK and across the world the equipment in facilities currently producing life-saving radioactive substances, known as medical radioisotopes, which are critical to cancer diagnosis and treatment, are coming to the end of their productive life and being closed. As a result the Welsh Government says that by 2030 the UK faces a reality of having no medical radioisotopes or the “ethical nightmare” of having to ration them. Should this happen the loss of supply would have a significant detrimental impact on patient outcomes and survival.
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As a means of anticipating and halting these supply issues the Welsh Government says it has developed plans to secure the supply of medical radioisotopes for Wales and the UK through the development of Project Arthur (Advanced Radioisotope Technology for Health Utility Reactor). Based in north west Wales the Project Arthur facility will be a public sector ‘national laboratory’ with its own nuclear reactor. It would produce medical radioisotopes and supply them to NHS Wales and the other national health services in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Should it go ahead the project is expected to be in place for some 60 to 70 years and once up and running it will then be one of a few facilities in the world focusing primarily on medical radionuclide production. The government said that as well as providing vital services for the NHS across the UK it will also help stimulate the north Wales economy by attracting highly-skilled jobs and industry, creating a surrounding infrastructure, building local supply chains, and supporting local communities. Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “This project will be vital in helping us deliver on our commitments to creating a healthier and more prosperous Wales, by creating the opportunities people need to make their futures here in Wales.”
The project’s vision includes creating a ‘technology campus’ in north Wales. However to succeed funding needs to be secured from different sources including the UK Government. Mr Gething added: “The scale of investment needed to bring Project Arthur to life is considerable. I am calling on the UK Government to cooperate in supporting our efforts since this development benefits and supports future cancer diagnostics and treatment right across the UK. Now is the time for decisive action and commitment. The implications of not acting will be counted in human lives and in long-term economic pressure on health services through unsustainable health treatments. We are now experiencing unprecedented economic pressures – but that is not an excuse for failing to plan for this clear future need. We must prevent a future health and economic crisis."
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