Protest over cancer surgery move

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Campaigners have protested against plans to move some specialist cancer treatment services out of Cornwall.

The Cornwall Primary Care Trust (PCT) wants to move upper gastro-intestinal surgery from the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro to Plymouth.

Demonstrators at County Hall in Truro said they were concerned how the plans would affect patients and families.

The PCT said it was delaying the plans' implementation to allow more time to discuss the proposals with the public.

Having cancer is devastating enough Maggie Easterbrook, cancer patient

Health chiefs had said the planned move was in response to national guidance on improving cancer treatment outcomes and making use of specialist cancer centres, such as the one at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.

But protestors said that if surgery was transferred elsewhere, it could mean some patients and relatives having to travel hundreds of miles.

Cancer patient Maggie Easterbrook said: "If you have to travel all the way there for treatment, your family can't just visit and come back in a day.

"You're isolated and having cancer is devastating enough."

The Cancer Patient and Carers Group added that the surgeons who would carry out procedures would be Cornwall-based. They would travel to Plymouth to operate, but then most likely head back to Cornwall immediately afterwards, raising concerns about post-operative care and observation.

Evidence examined

PCT chief executive Ann James said the trust would be discussing the proposals with the public, but added that they could still go ahead.

She said: "I think what's important at this stage is that the public have all of the facts, and that they're presented in a very objective way, but also that we also take on the concerns from people.

"Quite often their concerns, understandably, are about travelling and being away from their loved ones when they are having their surgery.

"Now we may need to do a little bit more to ensure they get the surgery they need, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the evidence for centralising services is wrong."

The primary care trust is also considering transferring head and neck cancer and complex gynaecological cancer services.