CANCER patients in Wyre Forest will be “neglected” in favour of patients from Worcester, says a councillor.
Councillor Howard Eeles, from Wyre Forest District Council, said because the new satellite radiotherapy centre would be based at Worcester, patients in the north of the county would not benefit.
At the moment patients in the north of the county are served by the Greater Midland Cancer Network. This means that those living in the north of the county would not be eligible to use the new satellite radiotherapy centre once it is up and running.
However, John Rostill, the chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said Wyre Forest cancer patients could use the linear accelerator (LINAC) at Worcestershire Royal Hospital if they were included in the Three Counties Cancer Network, which is the body that will manage the new centre in Worcester when it opens some time in either 2010 or 2011.
Coun Eeles, who addressed a board meeting at Kidderminster Hospital, said: “The general feeling in Wyre Forest is that we are being rather neglected.
“Most people in the north of the county have to travel to Wolverhampton, which is very inconvenient for many of them.
“Some people also have to travel alone.
“It would be of great value if they could be seen at the central unit at Worcester.”
But Mr Rostill said changes could be made that would allow patients from Wyre Forest, including Kidderminster and Stourport-upon-Severn, to get treatment in Worcestershire.
Mr Rostill said it would be “relatively easy” to accommodate the Wyre Forest population at the Worcester radiotherapy centre.
He also said that he was “passionate” about providing the best cancer care for patients so that they could avoid exhausting journeys to the oncology centre, which is based in Cheltenham.
Mr Rostill now wants to see two LINACs instead of one at the hospital because it means more patients can be treated.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here