SundaySun (KC) 18-May-08
From Kidney Cancer Resource
Go Back To SundaySun (KC)
Move to North could help cancer patient live
By Sarah Robertson, Sunday Sun
Ian Walker, who could be forced to move to the North in order to get cancer treatment
A CANCER patient may be forced to sell his home and move to the North if a last-ditch appeal to his NHS trust for a life-prolonging drug fails.
Ian Walker, 69, has been refused the drug Sutent by health bosses in West Berkshire as the trust doesn’t now fund Sutent following a change in policy.
Mr Walker, an electrical engineer, suffers from kidney cancer and has been offered a less effective drug which has significant side effects.
Sarah Anderson
His daughter, Sarah Anderson, 40, an eye specialist who works at a York Hospital, is furious at yet another example of the NHS postcode lottery for treatment.
She said: "York doesn’t fund it either, but Newcastle and some of the surrounding PCTs in the North East do, so we are considering whether he should move.
"It is such a big thing moving house and we don’t want his quality of life ruined with the stress and disruption of moving.
"I’ve been a doctor since 1991 and you just expect that this big organisation we work for will look after you.
"As a medic, I feel angry towards the NHS because it is supposed to act according to a socialist principle to provide healthcare for all.
"I want this drug to be available to everyone no matter where they live.
"Kidney cancer is very difficult to treat and the only other drug that can help keep the illness at bay is Alpha Interferon which makes you feel very ill so that your quality of life is horrible.
"If Dad should lose his life to cancer, it would be devastating, but to lose his life to bureaucracy would be far, far worse."
Mr Walker’s symptoms began in the summer last year and tests revealed he had a large tumour on his kidneys.
Sarah said: "My father then underwent major surgery to remove his kidney and made a brilliant recovery, but it was found that there was still some cancer left and that it may have spread to his lungs.
"His consultant told him they would apply for @@Sutent.
"Imagine his surprise when he was told that West Berkshire PCT would no longer fund that treatment because of a change in policy."
Although Sutent has been licensed in Europe since 2006, NICE — The National Institute of Clinical Excellence — has yet to decide whether it is effective enough to warrant the cost to the NHS.
It is not due to pass judgment until next year so individual PCTs are allowed to make their own policy regarding usage.
Sarah has already written to Health Minister Alan Johnson but received a reply back from his office which said there is not an "infinite amount of money" to pay for all treatments.
They’ve been told by the NHS if they fund the drug themselves the NHS will no longer pay for any of his healthcare. Now she’s pinning her hopes on an appeal to West Berkshire PCT on Wednesday.
She added: "The PCT has decreed that the consultant has to show the patient has exceptional circumstances before it will allow funding for Sutent. Well, my dad is exceptional to me."
To View The Original Article Click Here
See also Daily Mail (KC) 10-May-08
Disclaimer
Kidney Cancer Resource (KCR) is not influenced by sponsors. The information contained herein is not intended as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other licensed health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and information purposes only. Early accurate Diagnosis (Dx.) saves lives. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, never ignore Symptoms. To help your health care specialist make an accurate Diagnosis please keep notes of dates, times and details of your Symptoms. We are not offering medical advice nor do we consider links, individuals or articles accessed through this site to be offering medical advice.
E&OE - Errors & Omissions Excepted
As much of the information posted on this Web Site for peoples convenience is of a medical or technical nature, and may be a matter of life or death the E&OE is a Disclaimer showing that to the best of our ability information is accurate and correctly written or transcribed. Before acting on information on this site you are responsible for checking it with your relevant medical team. We can not be held responsible for any Errors & Omissions made; nor for information on links and articles provided in good faith.
