MPs demand cancer care talks
The Liberal Democrat quintet acted after revelations first revealed in the Western Morning News over the transfer of operations to Plymouth from Truro.
Public pressure continues to mount in the Duchy for an independent public inquiry into Upper Gastro-Intestinal (GI) operations moving from The Royal Cornwall Hospital (RCHT) to Derriford Hospital.
Health campaigners in Cornwall have been battling the move for around two years after it emerged a transfer of cancer services to Devon was likely to be on the cards.
However, the public outcry intensified two weeks ago when we exclusively revealed unpublished legal advice suggesting moving services without a formal public consultation may have been unlawful.
Cornwall's five Liberal Democrat MPs have now written to the Minister of State for Health Services, Mike O'Brien MP, demanding an urgent meeting to discuss the situation and overall funding issues in Cornwall.
Dan Rogerson, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall said patients needed treatment closer to home.
He said: "Patients in Cornwall are still unhappy that Upper GI services were centralised and are uneasy about the future provision of other specialisms. We need to ensure that the Minister understands these concerns and to hear what guarantees he is able to give that the NHS will increase the number of treatments available closer to home."
Matthew Taylor, Liberal Democrat MP for Truro and St Austell said fairer funding from central Government was urgently needed.
He said: "RCHT suffers from a serious lack of funds due to an unfair funding formula, which was introduced by the Conservatives and which this Labour government has done nothing to change. It is absolutely vital that the underlying funding issues which are holding back RCHT are resolved, and that is what we will be pressing the Minister for when we meet with him."
Ever since the changes to Cornwall's cancer services were first mooted, health bosses have been met with a furious response from patients and families worried about the extra physical and mental stress up to Derriford as well as the financial cost.
Rose Woodward, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Cancer Patient and Carer Group, backed calls for an independent public inquiry.
She said: "I really do think that so many people involved in this matter have now got themselves into an entrenched position.
"We need a completely independent and impartial view from the outside – and from outside the NHS. This is not a matter of national health guidance or policy – it's about the people of Cornwall deserving better when they at their most vulnerable.
"It's ridiculous that two years down the line people are worrying about whether or not they can afford to visit sick relatives up at Derriford."
Last year RCHT sought legal advice over the removal of cancer services to Derriford.
Transfer was then given the go-ahead after a process of public "engagement" designed by health bosses to allay fears.
Bosses at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, the primary care trust which funds the service, later released their own legal advice which supports their actions.
Health chiefs have always insisted that removing Upper GI operations from RCHT to Derriford will ultimately achieve better results for patients.
A spokesman for the PCT and RCHT last night said they were "confident" that moving Upper GI services from RCHT to Derriford was in the best interests of patients. She said: "There is clear evidence that this move will save lives and is the right decision for patients. This type of cancer is extremely rare and the decision to centralise service was taken in line with national best practice.
"We have taken expert advice from some of the most senior clinicians in the country."
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