 Some patients face a two-hour journey if services move to Plymouth |
No cancer services will move from Cornwall to Devon until the outcome of two hospital services reviews are known, NHS South West has said. There has been strong opposition to the primary care trust's (PCT) plans to relocate a number of cancer services. Reviews being carried out at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital should be completed by the end of the year. Councillors said they welcomed the PCT's reassurances. The pledge was given by Ann James, chief executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT. Eric Parkin, chair of the county council's scrutiny committee, said it was vital that no changes were made until a full public consultation had been carried out. "This is a very important issue and we must ensure that decisions are based on accurate information," he said. "The last few months have been a very difficult time for people suffering from cancer in Cornwall and their families." Last month, the Department of Health ordered an urgent review into the PCT's plans after complaints from patients and doctors and concerns from councillors. The PCT has said upper gastro intestinal cancer patients will have a better chance of survival if they receive treatment in Devon. Such a move would mean some patients facing a two-hour journey from Truro to Plymouth for treatment. Peter Davies resigned as chairman of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' NHS Trust in July over the plans.
| 
BBC NEWS CHANNEL 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
The last few months have been a very difficult time for people suffering from cancer in Cornwall 
BBC News
Bookmark with:
What are these?