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A cancer patient has criticised Tesco's controversial decision to stop a crucial mobile cancer care unit from using car parks at two of its Norfolk stores. Vici Bailey, 51, has had to reschedule three appointments for treatment she was due to receive at one of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's mobile unit, at the Tesco Extra on Blue Boar Lane in Sprowston. Vici Bailey (Image: Vici Bailey) Tesco said incorrect internal processes were followed when the N&N was first given the green light to use the car parks at its stores in Sprowston and Dereham.
The supermarket giant gave the hospital just a day's notice that it could no longer use the car parks for the unit . The Tesco Extra at Sprowston (Image: Google) Instead of being able to get that treatment at the store, close to her Sprowston home, Mrs Bailey had to reschedule and travel to the N&N. Mrs Bailey, who has completed chemotherapy for breast cancer but went to the unit for regular injections, urged Tesco to restore the unit as soon as possible.
The unit, provided by charity Hope For Tomorrow , is able to treat cancer patients who need treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy. The mobile cancer care unit (Image: Hope for Tomorrow) Mrs Bailey said: "It's lovely being able to go to the unit. When you're going through treatment you get really exhausted and it can really take it out of you.
"Being able to drive to the local supermarket for that treatment, rather than going to the hospital, makes a real difference. "Not only does it reduce the pressure on the hospital, but it makes you feel like you're getting on with things. "With Tesco I can drive there easily because it's a short distance from my home and there's bags of parking.
"It can be difficult to park at the hospital, even with a blue badge, so I sometimes have to get my husband to drop me off while he goes to find a pay and display place." The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has re-applied for permission to use the car parks. Tesco said it hopes to welcome the unit back soon, but has not given a date.
Mrs Bailey, whose initial Facebook posts led to Norwich North MP Alice Macdonald writing to Tesco, said: "Tesco has always been keen to say how it supports people with cancer, through events like the Race For Life, but they have done this. "It is frustrating and I hope it can be resolved quickly.".
