Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has urged the Northern Ireland Health Minister to implement a child cancer travel fund for patients in Northern Ireland. This call follows the announcement by UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Tuesday, revealing that the UK Government will allocate £10 million annually through the National Cancer Plan. This fund will assist children and young people with cancer and their families in England with travel expenses to and from cancer treatment facilities, regardless of their income level.
In response to this development, Eastwood confirmed that she has reached out to Mike Nesbitt, the Northern Ireland Health Minister, advocating for a similar initiative. “From day one in Parliament, I’ve been fighting for children, young people and families going through cancer treatment,” Eastwood stated. She expressed her joy at the UK Government’s announcement but emphasized that it only applies to England. “I’m fighting hard to ensure Northern Ireland gets the same support, not just money that is used for something else,” she added.
The call for a travel fund has garnered backing from the Powered by Poppy campaign, established by parents Sharon and Mark Ogle in memory of their daughter, Poppy Ogle, who passed away in 2022 after a prolonged battle with cancer. The campaign’s representatives expressed their support on social media, highlighting that the announcement from Westminster is a significant relief for families in England. “This will lift a huge financial burden for families in England,” they noted.
Those involved with the campaign pointed out the disparity in travel costs for families in Northern Ireland, where the only children’s cancer unit is located at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC). They described the challenges faced by families from regions such as Fermanagh, Limavady, and Derry/Londonderry, stating, “The cost of travel for these families would be huge.” The campaigners questioned the fairness of the situation: “We all pay the same taxes to the same Government. Surely all children in the UK should be treated as equal?”
Despite the pressing need for such a fund, the Northern Ireland Department of Health has indicated that it cannot establish a similar program due to a “significant deficit” in its budget. A spokesperson for the Department acknowledged the financial pressures faced by families of cancer patients but stated, “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.”
The spokesperson further explained that the existing Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme offers support for travel costs associated with medical treatment for individuals primarily on low incomes. Additionally, current policies provide guidance on free and concessionary parking for patients on specific care paths, including cancer treatment.
Families affected by cancer are encouraged to discuss any difficulties with travel costs associated with their treatment with their healthcare provider. As discussions continue, Eastwood remains committed to advocating for equal support for Northern Ireland’s children facing cancer treatment.
