St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network has launched its first ever five-year strategy, focusing on three pillars of optimised cancer care.

The network is the largest provider of radiation oncology services nationwide. In 2020, it had 574 staff and it treated 4,925 patients.

The network has been expanding its services in recent years. Based in Rathgar in Dublin, in 2011, it opened two new centres on the campuses of Beaumont Hospital and St James’s Hospital.

In 2015, it was the first public radiation oncology facility in Ireland to introduce SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy). This is an innovative new therapy that focuses a very intense dose of radiation on cancer tumours with greater accuracy. Typically, SABR patients can complete their radiotherapy in one to five days which is much quicker than normal.

The three pillars of optimised cancer care focus on; the cancer workforce; research, technology and innovation; key strategic partnerships with other specialist agencies.

“Having introduced modern techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy, the network has ambitious plans for further development. Our new strategy sets out how we will expand our clinical trials and research partnerships with leading national cancer bodies, as we introduce the latest technologies to ensure our patients receive the best quality cancer care,” commented the network’s clinical director, Prof Clare Faul.

According to the network’s general manager, Jacqueline Robinson, demand for radiotherapy is expected to jump in the coming years.

“We are the largest radiation oncology centre in Ireland and one of the largest in Europe and have been to the forefront in introducing the latest novel treatments as they have become available. Over the next 20 years, we expect demand for radiotherapy to increase by 100%, which is why our new strategy is so important.

“Each department in our network will develop a workforce plan to support the strategy’s implementation, with key milestones to be achieved by certain dates,” she explained.

The strategy was welcomed by the director of the National Cancer Control Programme, Prof Risteard O’Laoide.

“We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with the network on the delivery of the National Cancer Strategy and the further development of radiotherapy services in St Luke’s,” he said.

The five-year strategy can be viewed here.