The Hospital are very grateful to the Friends who funded the upgrade of the CT equipment room and the first scan was carried out in July 2009.   The project also involved the refurbishment of the Diagnostic Imaging Suite.   This development significantly enhanced the service we provide to our patients. 

 

The Friends also funded the replacement of the HDR Brachytherapy Unit: This is a very welcome development as our existing unit was 16 years old.

 

Commitment has been given to fund a wide range of projects, including: clinic suites for consultants, refurbishment of Oakland Lodge, refurbishment of the former cytology laboratory and refurbishment of the education centre.   We hope to begin a number of these projects in the very near future.

 

 

The enormous support of the Friends to St. Luke’s Institute of Cancer Research is greatly appreciated.   The Friends continue to support our important clinical trials programme which is vital for research and development in the Hospital.   Our current portfolio includes trials in the areas of prostate, lung, spinal cord compression and breast cancer.   This year the following three trials were added to our portfolio and are now available to patients:

 

q                               A phase II randomised clinical trial of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) comparing 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-DCRT) and multi-catheter interstitial brachytherapy.

 

q                               A prospective phase II dose escalation trial using intensity modulated radiation therapy and image guided radiation therapy for T1a-T3c N0 M0 prostate cancer.

 

q                               CHHiP: Conventional or hypofractionated high dose intensity modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

 

 

 

St. Luke’s Hospital continues to work with the National Programme for Radiation Oncology with respect to the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland.