Group Campaigns Against Proposed Children’s Cancer Service Move
Campaigners fighting the proposed move of the Children's cancer unit from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to the Princess Royal in Telford are to hold a public meeting this evening.
The move of the unit is part of Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust's plan to move children's in-patient services to Telford.
The group set up by Alison and Martin Davies-Friend is holding a public meeting tonight at 7pm at Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s Greenhouse Meadow on Oteley Road.
Mr & Mrs Davies-Friend’s 11-year-old daughter Grace was diagnosed with cancer in August 2000. Following her treatment the couple worked tirelessly alongside other parents, doctors and nurses and the public of Shropshire and Mid Wales to raise the £470,000.00 needed for a purpose built children’s cancer unit at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Mrs Davies-Friend, said she had personally stood in front of many groups and organisations to plead for their help in raising the money needed to build the unit, with its creation within just 18 months of the appeal launching.
Users of the unit are concerned that a move to Telford could see the quality of service deteriorate. Extended travelling times for patients from Shrewsbury and Mid Wales, may result in a delay in emergency treatment or even death, said Mrs Davies-Friend.
Mr Davies-Friend said: “Our daughter Grace received treatment at Shrewsbury and continues to do so by the dedicated team of doctors and nurses at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital - She knows and trusts the people who treat her and can relax in the environment she knows. This will cause many seriously ill children and their families severe disruption and anguish at a time when pressure and stress of their situation is already intolerable.”
Speaking to BBC Midlands Today of the proposed plans to move the service to the PRH in Telford, Adam Cairns, CEO at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, said services offered following a move would be equal if not better than the standard currently offered in Shrewsbury and that experts would all be on one site so the Children would benefit when being treated.
The group have also created a twitter account http://www.twitter.com/MartynDF and Facebook campaign group 'Save Children's Service's'.
