Hermon backs Macmillan Cancer Relief Campaign
Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Hermon, has supported Macmillan Cancer Relief’s call for cancer sufferers to be given assistance with travel costs to and from hospital. Speaking during the recent sitting of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee when the local budget estimates for 2006/07 were being debated, the North Down MP said:
“We are delighted that there is a new cancer centre based in Belfast City Hospital; it is long overdue. A greater incidence of cancer is being diagnosed and earlier diagnosis gives people a greater opportunity of surviving.”
Lady Hermon went on, however, to draw the Minister’s attention to the serious parking difficulties at the Hospital and the associated parking costs. Referring to a recent Radio Ulster news item highlighting the campaign led by Macmillan Cancer Relief, she urged the NIO Finance Minister, David Hanson, to take into account “the enormous cost that builds up for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and have to travel (to the new Regional Cancer Centre at the City Hospital, especially) from the west of the Province.”
Speaking after the debate, the North Down MP concluded:
“The costs of daily travel and parking mount up. They place a further burden and worry on cancer sufferers, when their focus and priority should be their health. Specialist health provision, when provided centrally, saves on the NHS budget and should free up money for a travel allowance. So, I give my full backing to the Macmillan Cancer Relief campaign for a more sympathetic package for cancer sufferers and their families.”