Council Leaders across southern England continue campaign on children’s cancer care

The letter outlines concerns at a proposed transfer of services that would mean the loss of children’s cancer care from St George’s Hospital.
 
NHS England have recently carried out a consultation choosing between two options for the future Principal Treatment Centre (PTC) for paediatric cancer care: St George’s Hospital in Tooting, and the Evelina in central London.
 
Simon Hogg has been campaigning since last year to save children’s cancer services at St George’s. He has written multiple times to the Secretary of State to amplify residents’ concerns about the proposed transfer, in joint letters with the Tooting MP, and also with council leaders.
 
Now, cross-party council leaders have come together once more to raise this vital issue within government.

St George’s has 25 years of experience in caring for children with cancer, providing ground-breaking and innovative treatment and clinical expertise, as well as high-quality research facilities. If the service were to be removed, this could have significant knock-on impacts on other specialist services at the hospital.
 
Simon Hogg said: “This letter demonstrates the strength of feeling, across the south of England and across political parties, about the proposed transfer of children’s cancer services. 

“Leaders from Sutton to Surrey, from Croydon to Merton have come together on this vital issue. 

“We hope the government, and the NHS, will listen to the families of children with cancer who have received top-quality care from the current service.

“We will keep doing everything we can to keep children’s cancer care at St George’s.”

The letter was signed by the leaders of Sutton, Surrey, Croydon, Richmond, Kingston and Merton Councils, as well as Wandsworth.

Information about the consultation can be found here. You can also read Councillor Hogg’s own consultation response here.