Cancer Society calls for patient travel scheme

THE Irish Cancer Society has called on the Government to consider introducing a scheme to provide accommodation and travel expenses for cancer patients forced to travel long distances to receive radiotherapy treatment.

The chairman of the ICS medical committee, Dr John Kennedy, yesterday urged Health Minister Mary Harney to conduct a review of the costs incurred by patients living in more remote parts of the country.

It followed the announcement earlier this week by the Tánaiste of a €400 million programme to develop a nationwide network of cancer treatment centres.