Government to open oncology centre by mid-2014

The Labour government is committing itself to open the Oncology Centre at Mater Dei Hospital by mid-2014, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia announced today.

The minister also said the government had managed to reduce the initial cost of €60 million to €54 million. He however did not explain what the reduction of costs included.

"We are committed to open the Oncology Centre by the second half of next year, even though works fell behind by four months," the minister told members of the media.

Flanked by parliamentary secretary Ian Borg, Farrugia visited the works being carried out. Mater Dei's Rainbow Ward and the Hematology wards will be transferred to the new centre.

"Our new plan for the hospital will mark an increase in bed spaces, leading to a total of 104 beds and 96 workers will be employed," he said.

The original projection was of 94 beds.

Workers include radiographers, medical physicists, doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Six medical physics experts have been sent abroad to specialise in the sector.

Farrugia also said that the previous administration had allocated €800,000 for the national cancer plan which in reality costs €2.58 million.