Implementation of proton therapy in Spain. The proton therapy unit by IDOM

13/02/2024. [San Sebastián] Spain
metalocus, ANA GARCÍA LUJÁN

Osakidetza, the Basque public health service, has presented the Proton Therapy Unit project that will be developed by the IDOM consultancy at the Donostia University Hospital, located in the northwest of the autonomous community of the Basque Country, Spain.

Proton therapy, a technique that generates a beam of protons to irradiate tissue affected by tumors, is one of the most advanced treatments for pediatric patients and for certain types of cancer due to its greater precision than conventional radiotherapy.

The project is the result of the Government agreement for the development of this technology in the National Health System in seven autonomous communities.

Render. The proton therapy unit by IDOM.

Render. The proton therapy unit by IDOM.

3d model. The proton therapy unit by IDOM.

The project, the fifth treatment room developed by IDOM, has been financed by a donation from the Amancio Ortega Foundation to introduce proton therapy in Spain, in its oncology support program and is part of the Health and Wellbeing objective included in the Objective of Sustainable Development 3.

The new building will be integrated into the hospital and will be located next to the Onkologikoa Center. The program, focused on the well-being of the patient and the care of children's spaces, covers 10,000 m² distributed over four floors, two of them below ground level, which will house consultations, planning and treatment.

Render. The proton therapy unit by IDOM.

Description of project by IDOM

On 30 January, Osakidetza, the Basque health service, held a press conference to present the proton therapy unit that will be part of the Donostia hospital project, for which we are the project leader after winning a public tender.

IDOM is responsible for the design of the construction projects, the preparation of the documentation required to obtain the license for the operation of the radioactive facility from the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) and will carry out the project management.

Proton therapy is currently one of the most advanced and safest radiotherapy techniques for the treatment of certain types of cancer. Proton therapy is an innovative treatment that uses a beam of protons to target tumour tissue with greater precision and less toxicity than conventional radiotherapy. It is therefore indicated for paediatric patients and certain types of tumours.

3d model. The proton therapy unit by IDOM.

This new unit is part of the Amancio Ortega Foundation's donation for the implementation of proton therapy in Spain, as part of the Foundation's Public Oncology Support Programme and within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and Well-being. The installation of these new machines will have a direct impact on the quality of life of public health users.

It will be located in a new building next to the Onkologikoa center, creating a reference center for cancer treatment.

The new building will have a total of 10,000m2 distributed over 4 floors, two of them below ground level, with consultation, planning and treatment areas.

All the spaces will revolve around the patient, seeking their comfort and showing special care in the areas for children's patients.

The works are scheduled to begin in June 2024 and will last approximately two years.

The Donostia unit will be the fifth proton therapy treatment room developed by IDOM. IDOM has also designed a proton therapy research room.