Campaign highlights critical gap in cancer care at University Hospital Galway
The campaign points to the continued absence of an on-site PET scanner at UHG.
The UHG Infrastructure Crisis campaign has today highlighted a critical gap in cancer care at University Hospital Galway, pointing to the continued absence of an on-site PET scanner despite its role as the primary acute hospital for the West and North-West.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanning is an essential component of modern cancer diagnosis, staging and treatment monitoring.
The campaign is supported by a wide range of community, healthcare and sporting organisations including Cancer Care West, Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, NBCRI, Connacht IFA, and Connacht GAA. Campaign organisers say this broad backing reflects growing concern across the region about the conditions facing patients and staff at the hospital.
Campaign organisers say not having a PET scanner places an additional burden on patients and families and risks delays at a time when timely diagnosis is crucial.
University Hospital Galway is Ireland’s busiest Model 4 hospital and serves a large regional population across Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Clare and beyond. Despite this, it does not have the same level of diagnostic infrastructure as other model 4 hospitals in the country, the campagn members state.
Other large Model 4 hospitals and major cancer centres - including St James’s Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Waterford - have access to on-site PET imaging as part of their cancer services infrastructure.
Campaign organisers say the contrast highlights a wider issue of unequal infrastructure development between regions.
A spokesperson for the campaign, Co-founder of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland Niall Rochford said: “PET scanning is not a luxury - it is a core part of modern cancer care. Patients in the West should not have to travel for essential diagnostic services that are available on-site in other major hospitals. At a time when early diagnosis and rapid treatment are critical, access to this level of care should be consistent across the country.”
The group says the absence of a PET scanner at UHG is symptomatic of a broader infrastructure gap, where key developments have not kept pace with the hospital’s workload or its regional importance.
“University Hospital Galway carries the responsibility of a major cancer centre for the West, yet it does not have the same diagnostic capabilities as comparable hospitals,” Mr Rochford added.
“Addressing this gap is essential to ensuring equitable access to cancer care and improving outcomes for patients across the West and North-West.”
The campaign is calling for the inclusion of a PET scanner in the UHG redevelopment masterplan and for the project to be designated as a Critical Infrastructure Project under the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan.
"Without decisive action, the West will face years of further delay before conditions at the hospital begin to improve.
"The campaign’s message remains clear: Patients and Staff Deserve Better."
