Loss of cancer services will put 'pressure' on Sandwell patients
Cancer patients in a borough will face added strain by being forced to make journeys to Birmingham or Wolverhampton, a support group has claimed.
It was revealed last week cancer outpatient care and chemotherapy would no longer be delivered in Sandwell - forcing patients to go out of their way to get to appointments.
Most patients will be sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE) in Birmingham for treatment while others will go to New Cross in Wolverhampton in cases it is more convenient.
Health officials in Sandwell were not able to reach an agreement to keep oncologists at Sandwell Hospital, where they had been allowed to work by the University Hospitals Birmingham, which runs the QE.
The changes have caused alarm with members of a charity which supports cancer patients in the West Midlands and sparked fears it will compound the misery for those suffering with the illness.
Brian Childs, from Upper G.I. Blues, who himself is a cancer sufferer, labelled the decision a 'disaster' for families affected.
He said: "The extra pressure on patients and carers will be a massive problem.
"It will mean someone will an appointment will have to go to the QE on three separate occasions - once for a blood test, then for chemotherapy and then for an oncologist's review. One appointment takes three journeys.
"Chemotherapy affects people differently. Some people can suffer terribly.
"If they have got to travel when they are feeling like that - and especially if they have to travel on public transport - it's not the easiest thing to do."
Mr Childs added: "I have written to Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group to ask whether they are planning to review oncology in Sandwell and whether they will directly employ an oncologist in Sandwell and West Birmingham one day a week."
An NHS Improvement spokesman said: “Due to the unsustainability of staffing at the Sandwell and City sites, patients will shortly be referred to the region’s cancer centre at University Hospitals Birmingham for their outpatient appointments and chemotherapy, or to the Royal Wolverhampton Trust if that is more convenient for them.
"At the same time, a cancer review will take place to look at the long term options for oncology services here.”
