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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 08 August 2008 16:36 |
A “User Involvement Group†has been set up to feed the views of patients and the public into this Review. I am privileged to be a member. Other members come from across the wide area served by the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
We met for the first time on 7th August. There was a lot of support for the Cancer Centre. Several members have been patients there.
The first task of this Review is to reconsider the 2002 Varley Report, which recommended moving the Cancer Centre off the Mount Vernon site, a recommendation that still stands although so much has changed since then. A report is expected in November 2008 to address this issue.
Assuming that the Varley recommendation is rejected, the main task will then be whether radiotherapy should be provided at Mount Vernon alone or at Mount Vernon plus one or more satellites in Hertfordshire. Numerous factors must be considered including clinical factors, demographics, workforce and transport issues as well as plans in neighbouring areas. The Review’s final report is not expected until late in 2009 but there may be an interim report in Spring 2009.
This first meeting boded well - an encouraging start to a long process. The Community Voice has championed the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre through many dark days but, at long last, a strong ray of light is appearing on the horizon.
Joan
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