SIPTU representatives have welcomed the completion of the National Radiation Therapist Review Report and called on the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to accept its recommendations on adequate staffing levels for cancer services.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “We have previously highlighted that our health services have a 30% shortage of Radiation Therapists and this is leading to increased delays in cancer treatments. This staffing crisis has led to at least four cancer treatment machines not being utilised. These machines could treat around thirty patients a day, meaning there may be as many as 120 cancer cases not being dealt with daily due to staffing deficits.
“Radiation Therapists perform a crucial role within our health service. Almost half of people with a cancer diagnosis will require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. This treatment is delivered by radiation therapists as part of a multi-disciplinary team and they are the only profession with the legal authority to deliver radiation therapy with services delivered by the HSE in Dublin, Cork and Galway.”
McCamley added: “If the recommendations contained in this report are implemented, it will help develop a safe staffing model for radiation therapy, increase the number of clinical specialists and put in place a pilot scheme to develop advanced practice models. The report also acknowledges the sizeable pay gap between Radiation Therapists and other health and social care professional grades. This is resulting in difficulties in attracting students to take up the study of radiation therapy.”
SIPTU Radiation Therapy Shop Steward, Clara Cremin, said: “We are calling on the Minister for Health and HSE to accept the findings of the report as soon as possible and implement its recommendations as a matter of urgency to avert an all-out crisis in the State’s vital cancer services that so many depend on.”
