London calling for cancer campaigner

11:43am Thursday 17th April 2008

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HEREFORDSHIRE’S plea for radiotherapy services for cancer patients to be made available at the County Hospital could soon be heard by a Select Committee in the House of Commons.

Campaigner Allan Lloyd, from Kington, has already sent written evidence about the long distances people have to travel to Cheltenham for life saving treatment and he is now waiting for a summons for him to appear in person.

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee was set up, under the chairmanship of MP Dr Hywel Francis, to consider the provision of cross-border public services for Wales.

Mr Lloyd submitted written evidence on the concerns which came to light during the Hereford Times’ Cut the Misery Miles campaign and which resulted in many hundreds of letters from patients and their families.

Mr Lloyd, who has been concentrating his efforts in Powys and Mid-Wales, said: “I have recently received guidelines for witnesses giving oral evidence to this House of Commons Select Committee but have not yet been summoned.

“I am willing and able to travel to Whitehall if so requested – for every avenue and opportunity has to be considered in order to promote the success of the campaign.” Mr Lloyd said long journeys had been proved to be unsafe for patients but if radiotherapy was available in Hereford, it would meet the stipulated criteria of good medical practice from a time and distance point of view for patients access from Powys.

Herefordshire’s bid for radiotherapy facilities depended greatly on the availability of patients from across the border to warrant the setting up of a link or satellite site with Cheltenham at the County Hospital, he said.

Mr Lloyd has also been in consultation with members of the Welsh Assembly seeking support for radiotherapy in Hereford which would ease the situation for many people in Mid-Wales.

The 3Counties Cancer Network is considering the future of radiotherapy services and has agreed on three alternative options – to base them all in Cheltenham or to set up a unit in either Hereford or Worcester. Public consultation is due to start in May.

Mr Lloyd has been invited to attend a meeting to discuss cross-border issues with town and parish council representatives at Knighton on June 8. It is being organised by the West Midlands Regional Assembly.