Devon cancer services switch on track
THE transfer of cancer services from Exeter to Plymouth is still on track, despite the threat of legal action against a similar move in Cornwall, health bosses said yesterday.
Devon Primary Care Trust has accepted proposals which will see the pioneering Upper GI cancer unit – which treats disease of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and pancreas – move from the Royal Devon & Exeter to Derriford Hospital.
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A team carries out upper-GI surgery at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Medical professionals have said the move could set research into the conditions "back by a decade".
Patients have also complained that the move would mean much longer journey times as well as protesting at the "loss of expertise in Exeter".
The move is scheduled to take place next year, with the PCT suggesting that combining the two hospitals' resources in one centre would be more efficient.
But there have been calls for a full public inquiry into similar proposals in Cornwall, where Upper GI treatment would be shifted from Truro to Plymouth, after legal advice leaked to the Western Morning News said the move was "unlawful".
Last year, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust was given a stark warning that proposed changes to services were so substantial that they warranted full public consultation with the people of Cornwall.
However, the crucial advice was not published and, in the face of fierce public opposition, the go-ahead was given to the transfer of services.
The trust says its actions are legal, but Health Secretary Andy Burnham is being urged to put it on hold until an independent inquiry is held.
An NHS Devon spokesman insisted it was still "the expectation" that the transfer of Exeter services to Plymouth would go ahead.
The spokesman said: "NHS Devon is confident the process to agree the way forward for upper gastrointestinal cancer services has been thorough and transparent.
"The creation of a large single centre for the whole of Devon and Cornwall will ensure these specialist cancer services are secure for the future.
"Following the publication of the review recommendations, NHS Devon made a commitment to engage with local people and take account, where possible, of their views and suggestions on ways to support patients and their families following the creation of the new centre.
"Work is currently being undertaken to incorporate their ideas into the plans."
Comments
by Mrs J A Banks, Exeter
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 10:28PM
“It is totally impractical to move the operation part of the upper GI cancer treatment from Exeter to Plymouth. The Exeter team of surgeons and staff who perform the minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) are absolutely brilliant. Patients having to travel to Plymouth for their operations whilst all other pre and post operative treatments will be had in Exeter will experience a loss of continuity. Families and friends will find difficulty visiting with travelling distances involved. Patients' notes are likely to get misplaced. Research that is being done will be put back at least 5 years. The upper GI cancer unit should stay in Exeter with another in Plymouth.
My husband is a patient and survived under this excellent team and I would have had great difficulty having to travel to see him if he was in Plymouth for his operation. Visitors mean an awful lot to the patients to help their recovery and well being.”