Ayr Cancer Unit

Ayr Carrick and Cumnock MP Sandra Osborne has responded to accusations by Adam Ingram MSP that she is scaremongering with regard to the new Cancer Unit planned for Ayr Hospital getting the go ahead.

She said:
‘It is unfortunate that Adam Ingram has resorted to personal insults.  Health is an issue devolved to the Scottish Parliament but I did involve myself in the campaign because it is of such importance to the local area. I have a very thick file of correspondence, attended public meetings as often as I could, including in Ayr and Girvan, and met with the then Health Minister along with local people to put the case to keep A&E at Ayr open. 

I understood that the whole issue is now being examined by an independent scrutiny panel so I would be surprised if the outcome of their enquiry has been pre-empted. I have, therefore, written to the Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon to ask her if Adam Ingram is speaking on behalf of the Scottish Government when he states that the Cancer Centre will not be cancelled and accuses me of scaremongering.

The bottom line is that on 17th December Dr Andrew Walker who is chairing the Scrutiny Panel confirmed that the dedicated cancer unit is still one of the long list options and is not a ‘given’. The cancer services which are included in the options under consideration refer to cancer treatments already provided at Ayr.

This is very far from the new purpose built cancer unit we were promised which would greatly improve cancer care in Ayrshire and which should not be negotiable.’