Cancer sufferer put on ward with Covid-19 patient
A WOMAN has told of her fears for her father’s safety after finding out the stage four cancer patient has been cared for on the same ward as a coronavirus patient
It comes as visits to patients at Craigavon Area Hospital have been scaled back as virus cases in Northern Ireland continue to rise.
According to the woman, the Covid-19 patient has been cared for in a side room of the ward where her father is being treated.
“It isn’t good enough for my dad or anyone else on that ward. They are gambling with people’s lives,” she said.
THE daughter of a man with stage four cancer has spoken of her horror after finding out her dad has been cared for on the same ward as a Covid-19 patient.
It comes as visits to patients at Craigavon Area Hospital have been scaled back as virus cases in Northern Ireland continue to rise.
Health bosses are currently battling to stop a second deadly wave and concerns are rising over the safety of some of the most vulnerable people, including cancer patients and care home residents.
As a result the Southern Trust is implementing measures, including restricting hospital visits, in a bid to keep patients safe.
However, the daughter of a cancer patient in the hospital has raised concerns about her father’s safety.
According to the woman, the person with Covid-19 has been cared for in a side room of the ward, but she believes this is insufficient to protect the other patients.
“I think it’s an absolute disgrace,” she said.
“It isn’t good enough for my dad or anyone else on that ward. They are gambling with people’s lives.
“My dad has cancer, he isn’t happy about it at all, and he has actually asked to be moved so he won’t be in danger.
“We’re all horrified, our family is going through enough at the moment without having to worry about this extra threat to his health.
“They’re supposed to be set up and ready for patients with Covid-19, so I can’t understand how this has been allowed to happen.” The woman plans to report her concerns to health watchdog the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), the body that ensures hygiene standards in hospitals.
“The patient with Covid-19 was in a side room with the door pulled over most of the time, but as far as I’m concerned it isn’t good enough,” she added.
“Patients were allowed two visitors in twice a day and that’s now been reduced to one visitor for an hour a day and it’s because Covid has started to increase again.
“If they’re saying Covid is so dangerous that they are reducing visiting hours, how can they have someone with Covid on a ward with cancer patients and other vulnerable patients?
“There are patients in there in their 90s. I don’t have a medical background but it just seems like they are taking a dangerous gamble.”
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, a member of the Stormont health committee, said she was concerned by the development and has called for the Health Minister to provide clarity on the matter.
“It is unclear to me how this situation could have arisen,” she said.
“Healthcare settings have clearly been raised as among the higher risk locations for Covid-19, which is why the Nightingale facility and Covid Centres were established.
“It would be useful to have clarity from Robin Swann as to what the guidance is in this area and how it aligns with the scientific evidence.”
According to Cancer Research UK, people with cancer are among those at higher risk of complications if they contract Covid-19.
This is because cancer and their treatment can weaken their immune system, making it more difficult for them to fight the infection.
Some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, can stop the bone marrow from making enough white blood cells.
As a result a decision was taken to stop chemotherapy for many cancer patients during the first wave of the virus.
The Southern Trust last night said that there were no Covid-19 patients on the ward in question.
It continued: “However, patients and relatives can be fully assured that robust infection prevention and control measures are in place throughout the hospital.
“We would advise anyone with concerns to speak to a member of staff who will be able to provide reassurance directly.”
The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.