Galway University Hospital Marked WRAD by Bringing Radiotherapy into the Foyer
On 7 September 2026, the Radiotherapy Department at Galway University Hospital marked World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) by bringing radiotherapy out of the treatment department and into the hospital’s main front foyer.
Bringing the radiotherapy team to the public
The stand was manned throughout the day by Radiation Therapists (RTs), with members of the wider radiotherapy multidisciplinary team, including Radiation Oncologists, Nursing, Medical Physics, Dosimetry and Administration; joining for drop-in sessions.
Bringing the different professions together provided an opportunity to showcase not only radiotherapy as a cancer treatment, but also the multidisciplinary workforce required to safely plan, deliver and support it. Information leaflets were available explaining radiotherapy treatment, the patient pathway and the roles of different members of the radiotherapy MDT.
Making radiotherapy less unfamiliar
Rather than relying on information leaflets and posters alone, the stand was designed to be interactive and accessible. Visitors could see and handle examples of thermoplastic treatment shells and vacuum immobilisation bags, view virtual examples of radiotherapy treatment plans, and use a model treatment machine to better understand how treatment is planned and delivered. These were eye catching and created a natural starting point for conversations and allowed staff to explain a treatment that can appear highly technical and unfamiliar in a much more tangible way.
Supporting patients and families
One of the most valuable outcomes was the interaction with patients preparing to commence radiotherapy and family members trying to understand the treatment their relative was about to undergo. The informal setting allowed people to ask questions they had about treatment, equipment, safety, side effects and what to expect. It also provided an opportunity for staff to dispel common myths and misconceptions about radiotherapy.
Multiple patients and family members specifically thanked staff and reported that these conversations had helped relieve some of their anxiety about upcoming treatment. Being able to see the equipment, understand the treatment process and speak directly with radiotherapy professionals helped make an unfamiliar treatment feel less daunting.
This was an important reminder that raising awareness is not simply about providing information, better understanding can directly influence the patient and family experience.
Connecting with the wider hospital
The stand also generated considerable engagement from healthcare professionals working outside radiotherapy. Colleagues stopped to ask about referral pathways, radiotherapy processes, available treatments and how the department fits within the wider cancer pathway. The event therefore became an opportunity for informal inter-professional education, increasing awareness of radiotherapy among colleagues who may encounter cancer patients elsewhere in their care journey.
Inspiring the future radiotherapy workforce
An unexpected and particularly positive outcome was the level of interest in careers within radiotherapy. Numerous staff members asked on behalf of their own children how they could train to become a Radiation Therapist or another member of the radiotherapy MDT, while others enquired about opportunities for work experience and greater exposure to the department.
This directly reflected another important WRAD objective: recognising the professions behind radiotherapy and highlighting the need for a well-educated, skilled and sustainable radiotherapy workforce.
Overall, the event demonstrated the value of taking radiotherapy beyond the walls of the department and into a visible, accessible public space.
What began as an awareness stand became an opportunity for:
Patient and family education and anxiety reduction
Dispelling myths and misconceptions about radiotherapy
Increasing awareness of radiotherapy as a safe and effective cancer treatment
Showcasing the multidisciplinary workforce behind treatment
Interprofessional education and greater understanding of referral pathways
Promoting radiotherapy careers and work-experience opportunities
The event therefore delivered locally on several of the core aims of the international WRAD campaign: raising awareness, educating patients, families and healthcare professionals, recognising the radiotherapy workforce and bringing different professions together to speak with One Voice for Radiotherapy.
73 years after that first pioneering Linac treatment, the technology has transformed; but the purpose remains the same: using radiotherapy safely and effectively to treat cancer, relieve symptoms and improve the lives of patients.
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