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Chemotherapy patients in and around Wareham are one of many service-users who are forced to travel miles to receive necessary treatment. South Dorset MP, Lloyd Hatton, is calling for services to be restored and brought closer to patients in coastal areas. He said the issue of centralising care is felt across the country however, that Dorset has the benefit of having old community hospitals in Wareham, Swanage, Weymouth and Portland.
“Services left those community hospital settings and went to the big general hospitals, which I think was particularly felt in coastal areas like mine,” said Mr Hatton. “Wareham lost its chemotherapy clinic, Swanage lost its rheumatology clinic, Weymouth lost a whole range of services and Portland lost an MIU and an X ray facility.” Mr Hatton said that residents have found it very hard to access care and have found that many people are missing routine appointments as a result.
South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton and health secretary Wes Streeting (Image: MP Lloyd Hatton) The Labour government are looking to reform the NHS however Mr Hatton said investment is not enough. “Two of the big things they've said is we should be making care as close to the patient as possible and as prevention led as possible. “So if you can intervene earlier, it's normally cheaper, quicker and you get a better outcome for the patient, most importantly.
” He added that he wants to restore the services that were lost but also relocate other services closer to coastal towns. Speaking on the former chemotherapy clinic in Wareham, Mr Hatton said: “It's one thing to travel a long way for a blood test rather than it be at the bottom of your road, that's a pain, but this is far worse.” He said another big issue is Swanage and Portland being such isolated areas.
“But at the end of both of those communities there are 10,000 plus people and they're a long way from health care.” Residents have found themselves relying on family members who drive, paying for expensive taxis or spending hours on public transport for routine appointments. “That’s why it really matters, if it's something that's quite routine and you can deliver it locally, then I think we should.
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