Inadequate Chemotherapy provision in rural Powys must be addressed (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Inadequate Chemotherapy provision in rural Powys must be addressed

November 4, 2009 12:00 AM

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has today called upon the Minister for Health to address the acute shortage of cancer services in rural Powys.

The average journey length for Powys patients undertaking chemotherapy treatment is a 75mile round trip, but some patients are travelling over 100 miles.

Kirsty Williams said: "It is a terrible fact that cancer affects 1 in 3 people in Wales. This means that it is essential that access to treatment is widespread and easy.

"Distance to specialist health services has been shown to decrease survival rates from some cancers. It is therefore alarming that between 2003 and 2007, of the 671 Powys residents who needed chemotherapy only 7 received it in county; with over half of these patients having to travel across the border to England.

"For sick patients forced to travel long distances as far as Aberystwyth, Hereford, Cardiff or Swansea, it is a highly stressful and costly experience both in terms of time, energy, finance and emotions.

"The Welsh Government must address the need to treat rural patients nearer to their homes. Powys patients could receive treatment in their homes, at community hospitals or in a mobile unit such as the service already being provided in parts of south wales by cancer charity tenovus.

"I have called upon the Minister to support moves towards a tenovus mobile unit in Powys and I am delighted that the Minister has praised the project and confirmed that she is looking at this issue under discussions with the cancer network. I shall continue to press for a mobile service in the county."

Notes

The Tenovus mobile cancer support unit is a unique model in Europe if not the world which provides for an equitable service to rural areas. It delivers chemotherapy, practical and emotional support, provide cancer screening and helps raise awareness of cancer in local communities and schools.

Further information can be found at: http://www.tenovus.org.uk/busBlog/

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