Cancer hospice under threat

A HOME that provides care for Lingfield cancer patients may soon be closed.

A Surrey hospice that provides support for terminally ill patients, who are in the final stages of their lives, could be shut in the new year.

The Marie Curie Community Hospice in Caterham provides care for people all over Surrey, including Lingfield.

The cancer charity has said it may shut the centre as they want to "restructure their services in Surrey".

However, the move has been slammed by East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth who said the charity need to do more to prove they are doing what is best for cancer victims.

Mr Ainsworth said: "I very much regret Marie Curie's decision to cut its long-standing ties with Caterham.

"The hospice presently treats some 600 patients a year. However, the concern is that, under the plans now being drawn up, patients will no longer have local access to specialist treatment and medicines.

"I believe that they need to do a great deal more to convince local cancer sufferers and families that their plans are genuinely in the interests of our community."

It is believed that the news has come as a shock to the 65 staff members, as well as members of the local community.

Marie Curie has said that once the changes are in place, they will be able to treat three times the number of patients.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Research by the charity shows most people in the UK would wish to die at home if they had a terminal illness.

"As a result, the charity is considering a restructure of its services in Surrey which could see the closure of its Caterham Hospice site."

Susan Munroe, director of nursing and patient services at the charity said: "If we are able to invest more in the local Marie Curie Nursing Service, we believe we will be much better placed to help more people achieve their wish to die at home."

The charity is currently in talks with Surrey Primary Care Trust as well as its staff members to determine what happens to the hospice.

Mrs Munroe continued: "Day care services at the hospice will continue as normal until we have finished our discussions with the PCT and other healthcare providers in the area."