Cancer services should get back to normal says MP

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has written to the Health Minister Robin Swann MLA stressing the urgent need for cancer services to return to normal in order to save lives across Northern Ireland.

Carla Lockhart MP said: “With the reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, there is no valid reason why cancer patients should not be prioritised and a return made to the diagnostic and treatment programmes they need. From speaking to nurses involved in cancer care they say it has never been quieter in some cancer wards. Surely now this must be looked at.

“A cancer patient should not be treated as second class to a COVID-19 patient. Sadly, both kill and leave families shattered with loss and grief.

“The Department has said that this will be looked at in the ‘coming weeks’.

“Quite simply, an open ended deadline like that is not good enough.

“Macmillan has rightly called for a timetable to be outlined and I echo that call.

“Every day this is delayed worsens the prognosis of cancer patients. This should be a matter of utmost priority for the Minister and his officials and I would urge him to address these very valid concerns immediately.”

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