Patient Power Forces Rethink on Cancer Operations

Patient power has forced health and council chiefs to rethink plans to transfer cancer operations out of Cornwall.

In Wednesday’s WMN, we revealed the strength of opposition from patient groups over plans to send patients to Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital for cancer operations between the throat and stomach.

Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Cornwall County Council chiefs insist they are following Government guidelines to set up centres of excellence for specialist cancer care.

Rose Woodward, who chairs the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Cancer Patient Group, said: “Thanks to the Western Morning News article, minds have been focused on this vitally important issue.

“I am hopeful that the PCT will realise that cancer patients need to be treated locally and not have to travel unacceptable distances to Plymouth.

“We understand that this was a national policy, but that policy does allow for special cases such as Cornwall.

“We sincerely hope that these plans will be dropped.”

Last night, health and council bosses acknowledged that the force of public opposition had triggered plans for further consultation.

Talks between Cornwall Primary Care Trust (PCT), local patients and their representative groups will take place before any changes are brought in.

Patients currently having treatment will continue to have the choice of being treated in Cornwall or Plymouth, according to the PCT.

PCT chief executive Ann James said no final decision on changes would be made without “due consideration of public views”.

She added: “The strength of public opinion shows that we need to spend more time with patients and their representatives to explain the national clinical guidance and better understand local views.

“There have been opportunities for people to comment on the plans. But clearly, this has not been enough time for people affected by the change to give their views.”

Between 20 and 25 people a year would be affected by the changes if implemented.

Chief executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, John Watkinson, said: “The decision by the PCT to continue to lead this dialogue gives an opportunity to fully engage with the public and clinicians to decide the development and location of specialist cancer services across the peninsula.”

Relocating operations to Derriford was originally discussed by members of Cornwall’s Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November.

They decided that, because of the “relatively small numbers” of patients involved, widespread public consultation was not needed.

(c) 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.