Eleanor Burnham

Cymraeg
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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Eleanor Burnham - We must review North Wales' hidden cancer costs

May 1, 2007 1:03 PM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member and Candidate for North Wales, is demanding to know what the Labour Assembly Government is doing to protect Welsh cancer patients from the hidden cost of their treatment in a letter to Health Minister Brian Gibbons.

A recent report by Macmillan Cancer Support reveals the average cancer patient visits hospital 53 times, paying around £325 in travel and parking costs, a situation that can be even worse for patients in rural and sparsely populated areas of North Wales. In her letter, Ms Burnham has challenged Dr Gibbons to a review of current hospital charging systems, something the Welsh Liberal Democrats have already committed to in their 2007 Manifesto.

"We have been aware of the problem of hospital car parking charges in North Wales for some time now, but this report by Macmillan Cancer Support once again highlights the heavy financial burden placed upon cancer patients and their families in Wales.

"The report also proves what we have been saying for months, that although schemes do exist to alleviate some of the financial pressure, patients often fail to access them due to poor promotion and publicity.

"I want to know what the Labour Assembly government are really doing to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families in this situation. Patients facing the physically and emotionally exhausting circumstances of cancer treatment should not have to pay these hidden costs.

"The report clearly states that in the current situation 91% of cancer patients' families experience financial difficulty as a result of this devastating disease. I believe this is unacceptable. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to both a review of the current hospital parking charging systems and the principle of free parking for those patients who have to attend hospital regularly. Now I want to know what Dr Gibbons has committed to do for North Wales' cancer patients and their families."

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