CONTROVERSIAL plans to scrap a free travel grant for cancer and kidney patients will be discussed by councillors this week.

The council has launched a review of its Cross Solent Travel Scheme, which provides financial support to NHS patients travelling to the mainland for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or renal dialysis.

The council is considering removing funding for the £60,000 scheme entirely.

Islanders from a health campaign group met last week, ahead of the meeting to discuss the cuts and, they said, to ‘continue the fight on behalf of Islanders’

A petition started by Steve Gibbs, asking the council to reconsider its decision, has already been signed by more than 3,000 people, and will be debated by councillors at the full council meeting on Wednesday.

The petition calls for funding to continue at the same level within the council budget.

Christine Lightbody, from Isle of Wight Save Our NHS, said: “Government policy is literally killing the NHS and our own Island administration is implementing its own health cuts.

“Cllr Mosdell is the cabinet member for health and adult social care and is directly accountable to our Island people for this proposed cut.

“This suggestion puts people’s lives at risk and strikes fear in the hearts of many who are already physically and emotionally compromised by their diagnosis of cancer or kidney disease. The burden and stress of serious illness is bad enough without further financial anxiety.

“It’s never been more important to get involved and fight for what we believe in and there is nothing more important than our health. The NHS was born out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth.”