Worcestershire's Conservative Parliamentary team for the next general election, made up of MPs Peter Luff and Julie Kirkbride, together with Parliamentary Candidates Harriett Baldwin, Mark Garnier, Karen Lumley and Robin Walker, are reiterating their call for a new radiotherapy unit to be based in the heart of Worcestershire at the Royal Hospital in Worcester.
The costs are extensive - £1.5 million per machine, together with specially built concrete bunkers to protect staff and the environment - and a period of consultation has been ongoing this year. The decision is a very close call between Worcester, Cheltenham and Hereford and each of the five PCTs involved has a vote, making a decision difficult for them to take.
In a joint statement, Peter Luff MP, Julie Kirkbride MP, Harriett Baldwin, Mark Garnier, Karen Lumley and Robin Walker said:
"We want to reiterate our call for this facility to be built in Worcester. It is a central location in the county and Worcestershire has a significantly larger population than Herefordshire. It will also be a better choice than Cheltenham for access from many parts of Eastern Herefordshire. This is about an issue that is bigger than our individual Worcestershire constituencies. Travel times will be significantly reduced, together with costs to patients at a time when fuel is so expensive. But more importantly, waiting times will go down and outcomes will improve."