Tesco sorry after mobile cancer unit told to leave

Up until recently, the mobile cancer unit visited Tesco stores in Dereham and Sprowston

Tesco has apologised after a procedural error prevented a mobile cancer care unit using its supermarket car parks.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) had been using Tesco car parks in Dereham and Sprowston, near Norwich, to offer chemotherapy to patients in the community.

However, the hospital said Tesco had given it just a day's notice to find new locations when it reapplied to continue using the sites.

Tesco said an "internal process was not followed for the initial request" and it would be "happy to welcome them back".

"We were sorry to hear about this," a Tesco spokesperson added.

"Unfortunately, the correct internal process was not followed for the initial request."

The mobile cancer unit, named Amira, contains four chairs and helps to treat patients closer to home.

Until recently, it was based at Tesco in Sprowston on Tuesdays and Tesco in Dereham on Wednesdays.

The supermarket did not charge for the use of its car parks.

The unit is designed to be less clinical than a hospital

Alice Macdonald, the Labour MP for Norwich North, said she had written to Tesco to demand an explanation.

"What was particularly concerning... it was very short notice in terms of the change in where treatment could be accessed," she said.

"I just think one day's notice isn't acceptable.

"We just want [the treatment units] to resume as quickly as possible."

She later welcomed Tesco's "swift response" to the situation.

Macdonald said she was pleased Tesco wanted to welcome the unit back

Charities regularly use supermarket grounds to deliver services, such as food banks and screening centres, due to their large car parks and key locations.

The mobile cancer unit, run in partnership with the charity Hope for Tomorrow, was launched in Norfolk during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The NNUH said it was "working tirelessly" to resume the service and was awaiting a decision from Tesco regarding its re-application.

"We are also actively exploring alternative locations in these areas to ensure we can continue this valued and vital community service for our patients," a spokesperson told the BBC.

"We are very sorry for any inconvenience and disruption caused to our patients - unfortunately, we received a day's notice regarding the use of these car parks and changes to the way these are managed."