A PETITION to reopen a network of cancer and diagnostic centres has been accepted by the UK Government and Parliament, already gaining 1,300 signatures.
Prof Karol Sikora, former medical director of Rutherford Cancer Centres, is calling on the government to provide the funding and guidance required to re-establish three state-of-the-art facilities in Newport, Reading and Northumberland.
In June 2022, Rutherford Cancer Centres announced it had collapsed into liquidation after experiencing “significant cashflow difficulties” due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Equipment in the facilities, including the one in Shinfield, have been abandoned for months since.
Reopening the centres could help 20,000 cancer patients every year, according to Prof Sikora.
She said: “Cancer patients across the country are suffering from unacceptable delays when three state-of-the-art cancer centres are lying empty in the North East, Reading and Newport – it is absolute lunacy.”
“How can central NHS and local trusts not come to some agreement and work together to reopen the centres? The decision-maker Equitix, despite moving at a snail’s pace so far, would be forced into action and we could have the network open within weeks treating thousands of patients with some of the most advanced cancer treatment technology in the world.”
“Let’s show a can-do attitude and deliver some positive change for once. Hopefully this petition can at least highlight the strength of feeling across the country to decision-makers.”
“Please sign and share. It is appreciated and will make a difference.”
