Surgical treatment for complex gynaecological cancers will continue to be provided at the RUH following new government guidance on “service reconfiguration” a B&NES Council panel heard yesterday. Liberal Democrat Councillors and Don Foster MP have been campaigning since 2007 against a proposal to move treatment to the United Hospital in Bristol.

Service changes are now subject to a ‘four tests’ process, brought in by the new government, rather than the ‘substantial variation’ test which was previously considered and invoked by Councillors on the Council’s health panel. Under the new tests it has been decided that the reconfiguration proposal should not be progressed.

The Liberal Democrats in Bath, working with other campaigners have long argued that there would be no benefit to patients in moving surgical treatment to Bristol and the plans were fiercely opposed by patient groups. The solution which has been adopted means that the staff at the RUH and the UHB will work together in a joint multi-disciplinary team. This should mean that patients get the best of both worlds – access to a larger and more specialised team whilst still being able to access treatment at their local hospital. There is a proven track record with this system already being used following a review of head and neck cancer services. Patients are extremely happy with the service.