On Tuesday, Wes Streeting announced a £10m fund to support the cost of travelling to and from cancer care for all children in England living with the disease
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has called on the Northern Ireland Health Minister to introduce a child cancer travel fund for patients in Northern Ireland.
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the UK Government will provide £10 million a year through the National Cancer Plan for a new fund which will be open to all children and young people in England with cancer and their families, regardless of income, to support them with the cost of travelling to and from cancer care.
Following the announcement, Sorcha Eastwood confirmed that she has written to Mike Nesbitt asking him to follow the UK Government’s lead.
“From day one in Parliament, I’ve been fighting for children, young people and families going through cancer treatment,” she said.
“I’m delighted that the UK Government have announced a child cancer travel fund. However, this only applies to England, and I’m fighting hard to make sure Northern Ireland gets the same, not just money that is used to support something else.
“That’s why I’ve written to the NI Health Minister to make sure that no children and families are left behind in Northern Ireland. I’ll keep fighting until our children get what they need, but I’m delighted that our lobbying has paid off.”
The Powered by Poppy campaign, which was set up by parents Sharon and Mark in memory of their daughter Poppy Ogle, who died in 2022 aged 10 after a long battle with cancer, echoed Sorcha Eastwood’s calls.
“Amazing news from the UK Government regarding covering the cost of childhood cancer parents travel. This will lift a huge financial burden for families in England,” they posted on their Facebook page.
“Here in Northern Ireland, it is a postcode lottery how much it costs in travel, as our only Children’s Cancer unit is in Belfast at the RBHSC.
“We have met families from Fermanagh, Limavady, and Derry/Londonderry. The cost of travel for these families would be huge.”
They added: “Our question is, we all pay the same taxes to the same Government. Surely all children in the UK should be treated as equal?”
However, the Department of Health have confirmed that due to the “significant deficit” in their budget, they cannot introduce a similar scheme in Northern Ireland.
“The Department recognises that patients undergoing treatment for long-term conditions such as cancer may incur additional travel costs that can add additional financial pressure at an already difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
“The Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme provides individuals and their dependants with help for travel costs associated with medical treatment on referral from a doctor or dentist. The scheme is open to individuals and their dependants, primarily on low incomes.
“Additionally, the Department’s current policy for car parking provision and management includes guidance on free and concessionary parking for patients on particular care paths such as cancer.
“Given the significant deficit in the Department’s budget, it is not possible to consider any further financial assistance for young cancer patients and their families at this time.
“Any cancer patient or family affected by cancer who are experiencing difficulties with travel costs associated with their treatment are encouraged to discuss these with their health care provider.”
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