SNP's Strathkelvin and Bearsden candidate backs Stobhill chemo campaign

Rona Mackay and Tom Herbert outside Stobhill Hospital

Rona Mackay has teamed up with Lenzie man Tom Herbert who has led the campaign to have the treatment available for residents living north of the river for many years since his wife sadly passed away from breast cancer four years ago.

Mrs Mackay said: “I am supporting the campaign of many of residents who live north of the River Clyde, specifically in the area of Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Kirkintilloch and surrounding villages, to have cancer care treatment delivered closer to home.

“I have written to Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board to request a meeting with the Chief Executive to discuss the possibility of introducing a trial facility at the hospital.

“While acknowledging that the Beatson in Glasgow will always be the specialist centre of excellence, I believe residents suffering from certain types of cancer could benefit greatly from receiving chemotherapy closer to home, avoiding an exhausting two-hour journey on public transport across Glasgow.

“I submitted an FOI request to GGCHB which showed that this facility is currently available in the New Victoria Hospital in Glasgow which has a similar demographic to East Dunbartonshire, and it is also available in several hospitals in different catchment areas throughout Scotland.

“I have been liaising with a leading cancer charity who have assured me that they would be fully supportive of a pilot programme at Stobhill if this could be implemented by GGCHB and I am hopeful of a positive outcome.”

Mr Herbert said: “I am delighted that Rona is backing the long-running campaign to have out-patient chemotherapy at Stobhill. My wife suffered from cancer for 22 years and I know that if she could have been treated locally in the early stages of her illness, it would have been much less stressful and tiring for her.

“I am optimistic that with the new emphasis on health care being delivered locally, and with Rona’s backing, we will finally see treatment being delivered at this state-of-the-art hospital on our doorstep very soon.”