A shortage of key radiation therapists is delaying cancer treatments for some patients, it has emerged.
It is estimated there is a staffing shortfall of 30pc in radiation therapy – with multi-disciplinary teams needed to deliver the life-saving treatment.
At least four cancer treatment machines are lying idle due to a lack of key staff, according to John McCamley of Siptu.
He said: “There are currently at least four cancer treatment machines that are not in operation around the country due to a lack of qualified radiation therapists.
“These machines could treat around 30 patients a day, meaning there may be as much as 120 cases not being dealt with on a daily basis due to staffing deficits.”
A spokesman for the HSE said: “The HSE and National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) are very aware of the challenges with the radiation therapists workforce in Ireland and are continuing to progress recruitment campaigns.
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“At present, the HSE is undertaking a national review of radiation therapy which Siptu are a party to.
“The NCCP is aware of [the] effect on the current radiotherapy service and acknowledge the contribution radiation therapists make to the team.”
This team effort facilitates the clinical and psychosocial care of the cancer patient throughout treatment preparation and delivery.
To further meet current challenges, the NCCP holds regular meetings with all the clinical specialities to understand the impact of vacancies on the service and to mitigate them where it can.
Current activity includes efforts to secure students and implementing short-term solutions such as the provision of additional hours to ensure the impact of vacancies on cancer patients is minimised.
In the short term, all of the current public radiotherapy services in Ireland have offered additional hours, outside of normal service, to existing staff to enable patients to be seen within the correct timeline.
It is hoped that the impact of this enhanced working will be noted in April.
Longer-term mitigation is detailed in the national review of radiation therapists which began in November 2022 with representatives from Siptu, the Department of Health, the NCCP and the radiation oncology services.
The primary aim is to develop a more attractive career structure for radiation therapists in Ireland.
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