A CANCER support group run by volunteers has resigned its membership of a hospital user group, claiming it was being “stifled” by health bosses.

Sally Lambert, chairman of the Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends, said her group regretted its decision, but had considered its position over a long time.

The Friends’ group was started in 2004 by Mary Brennan, from Barnoldswick, and has grown into a hands-on organisation which offers support to families affected by cancer.

That support ranges from telephone support to home and hospital visits and a free taxi service to and from Airedale Hospital.

It also has monthly meetings and has raised more than £100,000 to support families affected by cancer.

But she said the Friends were not being allowed to speak up on topics relating to oncology care at Airedale and in some instances were forced into silence.

“We feel that we are being stifled and not allowed to speak up on issues that our members have raised. In fact, on one occasion, one of our members was told to ‘shut up’ and not raise issues relating to our members.

“We feel that the user group has no real clout, especially regarding the out-of-hours oncology beds.

“If the user group wants to be active in supporting ‘users’ of the hospital, then it needs to look at the way it runs things and the way it treats members.”

Mrs Lambert, of East View Terrace, Barnoldswick, has written to the user group stating the Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends members were all volunteers, got no payment and were campaigning for people who are suffering the effects of cancer.

A statement from Airedale NHS Trust said: “We are really sorry to learn that Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends have decided to resign from the Airedale Hospital User Group.

“We are taking seriously the issues identified, and will be in touch with the chair to find out what they feel has not been working.”