Work to begin on state-of-art cancer centre

Construction work is expected to begin before the end of the year on a state-of-the-art €20 million cancer treatment facility on the grounds of University Hospital Galway.

The new three-storey 8,500 square metre building – approved by city planners this week – is part of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO).

The plans involve the demolition of the existing psychiatric unit and link corridor to the paediatric unit, and the construction of a three-storey building.

There will be an enclosed pedestrian ground floor link connecting the existing ward block to the east and the paediatric unit to the new centre.

The centre is expected to be funded as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project and is aimed at enhancing the existing cancer treatment capacity at the hospital.

Planners approved the application, although stringent conditions have been imposed on parking, over which the Council had reservations during the planning process.

The have ruled that a barrier-controlled parking area for 38 cars be used only for patients of the oncology centre, and an operations procedure document be submitted to the Council for agreement.

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune