Herefordshire health trusts argue for radiotherapy services

1:00pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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HEREFORDSHIRE Primary Care Trust and Hereford Hospitals Trust are making a strong case for the county to have radiotherapy services.

And independent experts, called in by the trusts to study the viability of a local service, have supported it.

Space for bunkers to house radiotherapy machines has been put in the plans for the new Macmillan Renton Unit, being built next year after county people raised more than £1.5 million.

Herefordshire Council’s health committee has also given the project its backing.

But last week Conservative MPs in Worcestershire called for the new unit to go to that county. Herefordshire people have called Mr Lloyd to express their anxiety at the effects of a politically-led campaign.

“The rallying cry must be for a united and positive campaign countywide,” he said.

Leominster’s Conservative MP Bill Wiggin, some of whose constituents face the longest trips in the UK for treatment, said he was 100% behind the campaign.

He had been active behind the scenes to promote Herefordshire’s case.

Hereford Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch has always backed the campaign, raising it and the Hereford Times’ reports in the House of Commons.