Cancer Care West

University College Hospital Galway

1. Cancer Care West is a registered charity based inGalway and is committed to cancer patients and their families in the eight West of Ireland counties ofLimerick, Clare,Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim,Sligo and Donegal. The charity is dedicated to cancer care in three main areas:

Initiatives to improve the lives of cancer patients
Education/Bursaries which will support improvement in cancer care
Research projects that exhibit clear patient care benefits


2. As part of the Government’s National Cancer Strategy, University College Hospital Galway has been designated a Regional Cancer Centre and as such will now meet the needs of cancer patients in the seven West of Ireland counties. This has resulted in the provision of radiotherapy services at University College Hospital,Galway, bringing to an end the need for West of Ireland patients to travel to Dublin for radiotherapy. Generally this therapy is administered for a 10- 15-minute period, on a daily basis, over periods of 5-8 consecutive weeks.


3. In order to provide better access to radiotherapy services at University College Hospital Galway, Cancer Care West is building a Residence and a Cancer Support Centre (named Inis Aoibheann) on a site on the hospital grounds, along the lines of the Residence attached to St Luke’s in Dublin.

This residence will comprise 30 en-suite bedrooms, which will accommodate patients and a supporting family member/friend for the duration of the cancer treatment. It is intended that the Residence will be very much a home from home, particularly in the quality of welcome and care extended to all guests. Additionally, the new building will also have a Cancer Support Centre, which will offer a wide range of supports to patients and their families, ranging from counselling to many complimentary therapies.

4. The total cost of this project is in excess of €4m.of which Cancer Care West has already raised €3m. The charity is now actively seeking to raise the balance of €1m. Full planning permission has been received, the Health Service Executive has approved the lease on the site, the building contract has been awarded by competitive tender and the builder is on site. It is hoped to have the residence open to receive guests in early 2007.