Restating cancer unit case

2:19pm Friday 4th July 2008

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A CAMPAIGNER who wants Kidderminster to become the location of a new radiotherapy unit has criticised the lack of support he has received from other political parties.

Nigel Knowles, Labour Worcestershire county councillor, has been restating the case for a radiotherapy unit at Kidderminster Hospital.

Wyre Forest patients have to travel to either Cheltenham or Wolverhampton for the treatment and the 3 Counties Cancer Network is deciding whether a satellite service should be provided in Worcestershire or Herefordshire or the service in Cheltenham expanded.

Mr Knowles said: “I have restated the case for Kiddermin-ster Hospital and I am very critical that no members of the other political parties are joining me.

“Conservative MPs and candidates in Worcestershire, along with Dr Richard Taylor, have opted for Worcester. Who is advocating Kidderminster?”

Mr Knowles recently presented a petition with 6,000 signature supporting his campaign which, he said, was not being given sufficient weight or credence by decision makers.

He added: “The NHS nationally is in surplus to the tune of one and a quarter billion pounds and there is sufficient cash for radiotherapy units in Kidderminster, Worcester and Hereford.”

Mr Knowles slammed what he called a “democratic deficit”, with decisions made by NHS officials who “lacked a democratic base and took too long to decide on policy”.

He said: “There is a need for more radiotherapy unit personnel to be trained but why should officials take a decision without listening to the needs of Wyre Forest people?”

Mr Knowles has presented his views during a meeting with Paul Bates, chief executive of Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and at a county council health and overview committee, attended by members of the Three Counties Cancer Network.

Dr Taylor has said it would be “unrealistic” for the unit to be set up in Kidderminster and Mark Garnier, Conservative Parliamentary spokesman for Wyre Forest, added that Worcester provided a central location.