THE Government has been asked to investigate the proposed move of a key cancer unit from Exeter to Plymouth.

In what campaigners are calling a victory for democracy, NHS Devon's plan to move the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital's upper GI cancer treatment — which covers disease of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and pancreas — to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, is to be referred to Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health.

It is likely to at least disrupt the planned timetable for the move which was due to take place in just six weeks.

The decision to call in the minister came at a meeting of the health and adult services overview scrutiny committee at County Hall.

Exeter's representative, Exwick councillor Laura Newton, made a plea against the move, claiming assurances from health officials were not satisfactory.

The major worries were the possible loss of Exeter's world-renowned minimal invasive keyhole surgery which offered a recovery time of between six and nine weeks, as against between six and nine months with open surgery, and lack of consideration for patients and families who would have to travel to Plymouth.

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

"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."

The Secretary of State will be asked to ensure that should a move take place, minimally invasive 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 also championed the patients' needs and the RD&E's Exeter's reputation, said: "The committee decided against referring the matter to the Secretary of State in March but they have become unhappy at assurances from the primary care trust (NHS Devon) and felt they were not being taken seriously enough.

"There is a feeling that the PCT wanted to railroad this through.

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

A spokeswoman from Devon NHS said progress was on track, with clinicians having already taken part in a successful trial run of the joint planning that will underpin every patient's treatment.

"This pooling of expertise will ensure that from January everyone is treated in the optimum way, drawing on a range of surgical techniques including minimally-invasive procedures.

"Other vital moves forward have included the procurement of equipment and the booking of slots in the operating theatres.

Martin Cooper, Joint Medical Director at the Royal Devon and Exeter 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."