THE Health Secretary has been asked to review controversial plans to transfer a key cancer unit from Exeter to Plymouth, writes the WMN's Graeme Demianyk.

NHS Devon's plan to move the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital's Upper GI cancer treatment to Derriford Hospital is to be referred to Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, in the face of strong opposition to the plan.

The decision to call in the minister, which may delay the January transfer, came at a meeting of Devon County Council's health and adult services overview scrutiny committee yesterday.

Resistance to the plan is similar to that over proposals in Cornwall, where cancer treatment would be shifted from Truro to Plymouth. Opposition was compounded after legal advice leaked to the Western Morning News said the move was "unlawful".

However, bosses at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, the primary care trust which funds the service, later released their own legal advice which dismissed these claims and supported their actions.

Coun Laura Newton, who made a plea against the move from Exeter to Plymouth, claimed assurances offered by health officials that services would not be compromised were unsatisfactory.

"It is a victory, but it is almost a sad decision and a reflection on our views as to the consultation," she said.

"It was a necessary step because the information we needed was not forthcoming and we did not see it as being in the interests of the health service in the area. There was feeling that a decision on the move to Plymouth had already been taken, that the boxes had all been ticked.

"But we have shown, not just in this case but generally, that we will stand up to any organisation that is not going to respect the consultation process.

"If we had not done this, minimally invasive surgery would have ceased at the RD&E on January 1."

Major worries surround the possible loss of Exeter's world-renowned minimal invasive keyhole surgery and a lack of consideration for patients and families who would have to travel to Plymouth. The Secretary of State will be asked to ensure that, should a move take place, such surgery should be available at the RD&E until such time as Derriford is ready and capable of carrying it out.

Hannah Foster, Exeter prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives, who has fought against the move, said the committee considered referring the matter to the Secretary of State in March, but it has since become unhappy at assurances from the primary care trust.

"There is a feeling that the PCT wanted to railroad this through, she said. "Meetings were arranged with patients who travelled great distances, some still attached to drips, only to find those meetings were cancelled.

"We are saying we are not happy and the Government should decide. This is a real victory for democracy."

Martin Cooper, joint medical director at the RD&E NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The RD&E has been participating in the discussions regarding the transfer of the Upper GI cancer surgery to Plymouth, and we are satisfied that clear progress is being made towards the January deadline."