Public hit out at Station 15 threat
Just a handful of people were invited along to a focus group to discuss the future of Station 15.
The NHS hosted the meeting in a cosy room at Ayrshire Cancer Support’s base at Ayr’s Wellington Square on Wednesday.
In awful conditions the Post pulled on our overalls and braved the weather to capture the views of the public.
These was no angry mob, but the furious punters that we spoke to had made the trip from Girvan and further afield – and travel concerns was a hot topic on the lips of the public.
Todor Radic, 53, and his son Todor Jr from Girvan.
“We have signed the Post’s petition. We stay in Girvan so the problem for us is the geographical issue because not everyone has got access to a car. It’s 40 miles from Girvan – it’s simply not accessible.
“This proposed ‘ downgrade’ is just the tip of the iceberg. We just hope this is a meaningful consultation and they will actually listen to us and listen to our concerns – particularly for the more remote communities. We hope it’s not just a tick box exercise. It’s fine if you live in Kilmarnock or Ayr even, but if you stayed in Ballantrae, for instance it’s a nightmare.”
Eleanor McGarry, 67, from Ayr, originally from Girvan.
“To put it politely, it simply should not be moved. Looking at it from a perspective of living in Girvan, Ballantrae or further south they are asking you to spend more time travelling a longer distance and to make what is one bloody awful day, even worse.
“I don’t believe the figures they are quoting about the numbers that will be involved. A few years ago my daughter went through chemotherapy treatment and going by their definitions she would have been classed as a tier 2. Everyone I know going through chemo therapy is a tier 2. They are trying to say that is 75 per cent of patients are tier 3, b***** t.
“My daughter lives in Maybole so she could actually make the journey from Maybole to Ayr Hospital on her own, she couldn’t have if she was at Crosshouse.
“When you’re fighting cancer you have so little control over what is happening to your body. To lose another little bit of control, for her, would just have been unbearable.” Susan Law, 71, from Ayr.
“This proposed downgrade is disgusting, to be quite honest. My husband went to Station 15 and I now have cancer, so I could potentially have to go to Station 15.
“When I had to go to Crosshouse for my Bronchoscopy there wasn’t a bed for me so they couldn’t take me. The second time I ended up having to sleep in the treatment room, so I don’t know how Crosshouse can cater for more folk coming down. Plus the parking is another big problem. I have travelled back and forward to the Beatson which was quite good because I got the drivers, but how many of those will be needed to get everyone to Crosshouse?”
The NHS ‘ engagement and informing period’ ends on Sunday, March 8 and members of the NHS Ayrshire & Arran board will consider the recommendations for the future chemotherapy services on March 30.
NHS bosses say just 350 have filled in the online Chemotherapy Service Review and they have urged the public to get involved by completing the form before it’s too late.
The Post’s petition has now passed 16,000. Help keep the momentum going before we hand it over to health chiefs.
Next week we will have a bumper 50 signature petition pull out and we want you to get as many people involved as possible. Let’s nip this in the bud while we can.