10/08/2009

Conservative MPs and candidates from across Worcestershire have joined forces to call for a proper consultation process on any the decision that could lead to Head and Neck cancer surgery being moved from the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The 3 Counties Cancer Network has asked Professor Mike Richards to look into the bids from Worcestershire and Gloucestershire PCTs for the service. Worcestershire's PCT and Acute Hospitals Trust have supported the local bid, which would aim to keep Head and Neck surgery at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester. However the Cancer Care Network had initially expressed a preference for a bid from Gloucestershire PCT that was filed late.

Harriet Baldwin, PPC for West Worcestershire , Mark Garnier PPC for Wyre Forest, Julie Kirkbride MP for Bromsgove, Karen Lumley, PPC for Redditch, Peter Luff MP for Mid Worcestershire, Sir Michael Spicer MP for West Worcestershire and Robin Walker, PPC for Worcester, today issued a joint statement.

"We are concerned about the possibility that Head and Neck surgery could be moved from Worcestershire and want to ensure that there is full public consultation in the event that any decision is taken to move it elsewhere.  We welcome the news that the new Local Involvement in Health Network (LINKs) will be looking into this issue. We would urge the 3 Counties Cancer Network to consider the merits of the Worcestershire bid and to take into account the potential stress and disruption that would be caused to patients from Worcestershire if they had to travel further for their treatment.."