Anger over cancer care shake-up

A long-running row over where gynaecological cancer patients are treated could be finally settled next month.

Members of a Bath and North East Somerset Council health scrutiny panel will be asked to agree with a recommendation to centralise cancer treatment for the west in Bristol.

However some local cancer patients and politicians are against the shake-up, which could see women with certain types of gynaecological cancer sent to Bristol for specialist surgery rather than to the Royal United Hospital.

Primary care trusts in the west are trying to fall in line with a requirement from the Government for patients with complicated conditions to be treated at specialist centres.

And NHS B&NES says that the majority of women will still be treated and tested at the RUH, with only those with more complicated conditions being sent elsewhere.

The changes are expected to affect only around 35 operations a year.

John Waldron, medical director at the RUH said: "We've agreed that this change does not amount to a substantial variation in the service we provide here at the RUH.

"We also recognise that a single larger centre for specialised cancer services has potential advantages in allowing the development of sub-specialisation and increased research and development opportunities."

The plan has angered some patients who say there is no difference between the services currently offered at the RUH and the United Bristol Health Care Trust. MP Don Foster has also shown his concern about the plan.

The issue should be decided on Thursday, December 17, where members of the panel will be asked to agree with the recommendation to centralise the services.

Service user Daphne Havercroft wants councillors to look at all the options before making a decision.

She said: "I am not against centralising the services but it needs to be in the best interest of all the patients.

"The NHS needs to carry out a through engagement and look at all the options. St Michael's Hospital also needs to prove it can cope with a higher number of patients.

"I want the panel to think about their decision and act in the best interest of the patients and communities."

A statement from NHS B&NES said: "We want the best future provision of gynaecological cancer services within the local area to achieve the best outcomes for women.

"Any service change must benefit patients and improve the quality of care they receive, taking into account clinical expertise and evidence, best practice guidelines and the patient experience.

"We need to find the right balance of service for patients so that care is available locally where possible and centralised where necessary so that clinicians with the right expertise, experience and equipment can provide specialist care for the most complex cases safely and achieve the best outcomes."