Centre Victorious in Bid to Lead Breast Cancer Care

By VICKY ANDERSON

THE Linda McCartney Centre has won its long-running battle to take control of Liverpool’s breast cancer care.

After public meetings, two independent consultations, thousands of questionnaires, and a four-hour meeting yesterday, Liverpool PCT’s board voted to stick with its original decision.

It will mean the Royal Liverpool Hospital, which runs the centre, can go ahead with its pounds l.lm upgrade.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital, which currently shares provision of services with the Linda McCartney Centre, will have to abandon its pounds 6m rival bid.

The board of Liverpool Primary Care Trust made the decision after a four hour meeting yesterday, following a three-month public consultation.

The PCT declared the Royal its "preferred bidder" last September.

But the Women’s Hospital challenged the decision, leading to a second consultation which concluded yesterday.

Last night Liverpool PCT chief executive Derek Campbell said: "The board was able to take the unanimous decision having worked through this in great detail.

"The issue for us is that we have two very good providers. If we had been in a situation where one was good and one was a poor, or failing service, it might have been more straightforward, but we have very good hospitals in Liverpool.

"The Women’s Hospital provides this city with first class services, and this is in no way a reflection of its work, which is highly regarded and valued."

The decision means all breast surgery and services, except radiotherapy, will in future be delivered on one site.

Surgery will be done in two dedicated theatres, and in-patient services will move to a new, dedicated ward, costing pounds 1.1m. The new ward will include 15 beds, single sex accommodation with two en-suite rooms for men, and a quiet area for relatives to meet breast care nurses.

Pre-operative assessment will also take place on the ward. Talib Yaseen, director of nursing and quality, said: "Our key objective, after listening to patient concerns more than two years ago, was always to cease the need for patients to transfer between sites.

"We also passionately believe in improving the quality of service further by concentrating all aspects of the service on one site so patients have access to the whole team in one place.

"This is especially important to us as people told us they liked the Linda McCartney Centre but found the transfer with guide wire insertions distressing. "We are pleased with the decision."

During the consultation more than 1,100 people signed a petition to retain the services at the Royal.

Chris Holcombe, clinical director for breast services at the Linda McCartney Centre, said: "This has been a difficult decision for the PCT but the outcome makes eminent clinical sense.

"We have spent the past seven years developing the breast service at the Linda McCartney Centre into one of the best in the country.

"All this can continue with some stability now, so we can get on with what we do best – treating our patients effectively."

Patient Margaret Sheilds attended every public meeting.

She said: "The Linda McCartney Centre is a lifeline to us. The treatment we get from the team is second to none and the support we receive is truly reassuring and comforting at a very difficult time in our lives. I am pleased its future has been secured."

No-one from the Women’s hospital was available for comment.

We can get on with what we do best

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk

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