19/10/2009

Robin Walker took time out from his doorstep campaign on Saturday morning to speak to the Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust and assure him of his support for the local bid to keep Head and Neck Cancer surgery at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The trust is awaiting a response from the 3 Counties Cancer Care Network, which is expected any day now, following the report of Professor Mike Richards, who has been commissioned to look into plans to move the service to Gloucester.

Robin has supported Worcestershire's bid on the basis of keeping services local to patients in the County and the strong clinical record of Worcester's surgical team.

Robin said

"I have been reassured in my meetings and conversations with local health chiefs that everything that can be done to support the local bid is being done. I have taken the opportunity to urge them to continue to support it whatever the outcome of this report, as I believe Worcestershire has a strong case to make."

"With the new radiotherapy unit coming to our hospital there is an opportunity for the vast majority of cancer patients to have their whole course of treatment in Worcestershire, close to their homes and families. Having campaigned for that unit I think it is vital that we campaign to keep high quality surgery available as well and that is why I am happy to support the Worcestershire bid."