Sir Marcus Setchell, former surgeon-gynaecologist to the Queen, last night condemned the personal attacks made against him by the Chief Executive of the cancer counselling charity, Maggie’s.
The row has erupted over a proposal to build a new counselling centre on the side of the Great Hall, part of Barts hospital’s Grade I-listed North Wing. If the plan goes ahead it will impede plans to renovate the Georgian gem and secure its legacy for years to come. The Friends of Barts are calling for the Maggie’s centre to be moved 20 yards away, so that both plans can go ahead.
In an interview with the London Evening Standard, Maggie’s boss Laura Lee branded as ‘vacuous’ Sir Marcus Setchell’s fight to preserve Bart’s Great Hall.
She added: “This is an obstetrician talking. Marcus Setchell is not speaking from a position of authority within the hospital… He has not looked after someone with cancer in his entire career”.
Commenting on the interview, Sir Marcus said: “I’m disappointed by the personal attacks levelled against me by Laura Lee. The claim that I have never looked after someone with cancer is incorrect. Throughout my 44 years as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist I have treated and cared for countless cancer patients until I retired at the beginning of this year. I know all too well the devastating impact cancer can have, not only on patients, but also on their families and friends, and the benefit they can derive from supportive care from organisations like Maggie’s.
“It’s disheartening to see the debate about the two proposals reduced to an either/or decision. Under our plans, Barts could have both a Great Hall that is no longer a burden on the NHS and a Maggie’s centre with its helpful counselling services, in an attractive garden setting at a lesser cost. We have always hoped that Maggie’s would be able to work with the Friends of Barts Great Hall in order to arrive at a satisfactory outcome for all. “
Join the campaign to save the Great Hall by following the link at http://www.afternynemagazine.co.uk and clicking on the ‘Save Barts Great Hall’ campaign logo
