Munster Express Online

Pictured at the official opening of the Rapid Access Prostate Clinic in Waterford Regional Hospital on Wednesday 26th January were, left to right, Joanie McGrath (Oncology Services Manager, WRH), Sarah McDonald (Radiographer, WRH), Dr. Frank Dolphin (Chairman, HSE), Claire Tully (Clinical Nurse Manager 3, WRH), Deirdre Houlihan (Radiography Services Manager, WRH) and Dr. Joan Heneghan (Consultant Radiologist, WRH).

In what is good news for patients in the South East, a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic was officially opened last week at Waterford Regional Hospital by Dr Frank Dolphin, Chairman of the Board of the HSE.

Recent reconstruction works at the Ultra Sound suite in WRH (which is the South East Regional Cancer Centre) has facilitated an improved co-ordination of patient clinical treatment pathways, through which a rapid access Prostate Cancer Service will be delivered.

Establishing a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic means that there will no longer be a need to admit such patients to a day ward bed at WRH, as they will access this service directly (i.e. they will be admitted and discharged from the Prostate Cancer Suite). As a result, day bed capacity will be available to support other clinical services – so ensuring optimum utilisation of day beds at WRH.