Actress Beverley Callard details struggles with cancer treatment scheduling
Veteran actress Beverley Callard, known for her long-standing role on the iconic soap opera Coronation Street, has shared her significant frustration regarding delays in commencing her radiotherapy treatment following a recent cancer diagnosis. The 69-year-old star, who relocated to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan to pursue a role in the RTÉ soap Fair City, revealed in February that she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
Following an initial procedure earlier this year, Callard had been scheduled to begin radiotherapy. However, logistical challenges in transferring her medical records from the UK to Ireland have led to unexpected setbacks. In an emotional video update, Callard recounted her efforts to secure an appointment, detailing a protracted process that has left her feeling stuck.
Navigating treatment hurdles
Callard explained that after being referred to a radiotherapist, she had yet to receive confirmation of an appointment. She described a recent experience where, after extensive phone calls, the clinic where she was due to receive treatment stated they had no record of her. “I’m having a bit of a nightmare,” she stated. “I went to the hospital twice last week − they’re fantastic. I have an appointment on Tuesday with one guy and then an appointment on Thursday with the oncologist, she was amazing.”
She continued, detailing the difficulty in reaching the radiotherapy clinic. “Anyway, I’d not heard anything. It was a Bank Holiday here in Ireland on Monday, so I’d not heard anything. On Tuesday, I tried to get in touch to find out what’s going on. Four and a half hours on the phone. The radiotherapy is at a [clinic] I’ve not been to, and I managed to get in touch with them after four-and-a-half hours on the phone and they’ve never heard of me. There’s no record of me in the system so systems…that happens with everything, everywhere.”
Callard expressed her determination to resolve the situation, stating, “And so I’m going to have to go to the hospital again in the morning and see if I can see someone and say, ‘Hello, I’m here!’ I’m still in limbo and it’s driving me mad. Come on, let’s crack on now.”
Public support and reactions
Despite the treatment delays, Callard assured her followers that she is otherwise well and expressed gratitude for their messages of support and shared experiences with radiotherapy. “Thank you for all your messages and telling me your radiotherapy stories as well, it helps. It’s filling in the gaps and answering lots of questions that are in my head so, thank you. Lots of love.”
She further elaborated on her struggles in a written post, noting, “Unfortunately it feels like one hurdle after the other at the moment! Trying my hardest to get appointment information and to keep moving forwards but after hours on the phone I’ve made little progress! Hopefully tomorrow will be better!”
Supporters have voiced their outrage online, with many expressing disbelief at the bureaucratic hurdles Callard is facing. Comments included suggestions to contact hospital administration directly and pleas for her to secure a firm appointment before leaving the hospital. One follower remarked, “This is the 21st century, everything is sent my computer, email and is received immediately. They’re not waiting for letters and post to arrive in a couple of weeks time! That old excuse is long gone.”
