Cancer treatment room not radiation-proof - report

A cancer treatment room is standing idle at Wellington's new hospital after being found to not be radiation-proof.

The radioactive iodine room for thyroid cancer treatment is "not fit for purpose", according to Capital and Coast District Health Board papers obtained by The Dominion Post.

Cancer services clinical director Andrew Simpson said the room, on level 5 of the new $360-million hospital, was built to specifications set down by a consultant between 2003 and 2004.

This year, the board hired another radiation consultant to do a final check, he said.

"We were unhappy with some of the measurements taken at that time and as we take a conservative approach in relation to radiation levels, work is now being undertaken to increase the shielding to ensure both patients and staff are safe," Dr Simpson said.

"We need to be confident that we are well under the exposure limit and will not be admitting patients for this treatment until we are satisfied that safety will not be compromised."

The service was due to begin this month, but would now begin in October once the radiation shielding requirements for the room were met.

Dr Simpson could not say how much the remedial work would cost.

- NZPA