Grateful gran backs campaign for services at Stobhill Hospital

Beth Nicol was shocked to be diagnosed with the disease in February this year following a mammogram examination.

The 56-year-old underwent two operations at Stobhill Hospital to remove the tumour in her breast and another to take out lymph nodes where the cancer was also found.

Brave Beth, from Lenzie, then underwent chemotherapy treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre at Gartnavel Hospital.

Patients from Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs and surrounding areas currently have to travel to the centre for treatment. A campaign, being led by Lenzie resident Tom Herbert, is calling for chemotherapy to be delivered at Stobhill Hospital – so patients have less of a journey to travel for the gruelling treatment.

Campaigners say it was in the original plans for the ‘new’ Stobhill, similar to the service provided at the Victoria Infirmary ACAD.

Beth, a retired nurse who worked in Stobhill Hospital, said: “I had felt a wee lump, but it wasn’t sore.

“I was going for a mammogram anyway so I knew it would be checked then, but was in total shock when I was diagnosed.

“I’ve just finished chemotherapy at the Beatson. I went every three weeks for six treatments all together. I have also to go there for radiotherapy.

“It takes a while to get to the Beatson, especially when it’s 9.30am or 10am. My husband drove me there, but it’s really busy trying to get there.

“For the first three injections of chemo it took about an hour and a half and for the next three it was four and a half hours each time.”

“I had to go to the Beatson to get blood taken a day before I received the chemo.

“I asked why I couldn’t get blood checked at Stobhill. I was then able to go to Stobhill three times. The doctor who did my operation is also based at Stobhill and I’ll go there to see him.”

Beth added: “It would be a lot better if you could have chemo at Stobhill. It’s local for people round about this area.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said earlier this year that, having investigated all options, it maintains that chemotherapy will only be provided from the Beatson and Victoria Infirmary.

But Tom Herbert, who has had several meetings with health chiefs, insisted he is continuing with the campaign.

Sadly, Tom recently lost his wife Margaret following a long battle with cancer.

He said: “I will not give up until my objective is met.”

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