The oncology centre adjacent to Mater Dei Hospital has now entered the second phase of works, which include mainly, the construction of the bunkers to shelter the three linear accelerators, the Prime Minister said today.

During a walkabout of the site, the Prime Minister pointed out that all works were on time, and the adjudication tender for phase three of the project, which basically included the building of the structure itself, was currently ongoing.

The first phase encompassed the excavation of the site, and was now completed.

The oncology centre was costing the government some 48 million euros in structure alone.

This morning's walkabout also included a visit to Boffa hospital, where the bunker and installation of the new linear accelerator, which delivers radiotherapy, was now completed.

Some 723 m cubed of high density concrete was used in its construction.

The new linear accelerator, costing some 1.6 million euros including the bunker, was included in the Floriana hospital, which will eventually move to Mater Dei, because the present machine was getting old, and would leave the patients without an outlet for this treatment should it need maintenance, Dr Gonzi said.

"The choice was a conscientious one, not to risk the lives of patients," he said.

The walkabout also included a visit to the newly opened Palliative Care ward in the hospital, where Dr Gonzi praised the staff for their "vocation in this difficult job".