North West Cancer Centre sited within the grounds of Altnagelviin Hospital
The Trust announced cancellations earlier this week as a result of ongoing Covid related staff pressures.
The MLA for Foyle said: “I fully appreciate and in no way want to downplay the immense pressures currently facing the Western Trust.
“Covid related absences among staff have no doubt left many services hamstrung, however, a contingency plan, particularly for ‘red flag’ cancer surgeries, should have been in place.
“I have spoken with families whose loved ones are suffering from aggressive forms of cancer.
“They have already been through agonising waits, in every sense of the word, only to have this crucial, in many cases life-saving, surgery cancelled.
“They are frustrated, distressed and their accounts have been absolutely heart-wrenching to put it mildly.
“While the majority of patients are fully appreciative of the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery, the fact that for some patients this is not the first time their surgery has been postponed or cancelled, is a bitter pill to swallow.
“I do not need to explain that time is of the essence in such cases.
“These latest cancellations have only served to exacerbate families’ fears of losing their loved ones.
“Let down after let down for all those affected is nothing short of a scandal.
“I have contacted the Western Trust urging them to reinstate these life-saving surgeries as soon as possible and would suggest that they work alongside other trusts to ensure this does not happen again.
“There are extremely vulnerable patients relying on this and waiting in anguish.
“It is hard to overstate the trauma this is causing cancer sufferers and their families.
“They cannot be forgotten about amid this most challenging of times.”
