Figures reveal region's cancer patients get less funding

12:14pm Friday 30th November 2007

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CANCER patients in North Yorkshire have less funding than nearly anywhere in the country, according to shock figures released today.

New research shows cancer care in Britain is subject to a postcode lottery, with patients in this region faring among the worse.

Some primary care trusts (PCTs) are spending three times more on cancer treatment than North Yorkshire And York PCT, which has been ranked in the bottom 17 per cent of the country.

More than 9,200 people living within North Yorkshire And York PCT were treated for cancer last year, with each patient being given an average of £6,881 to fight the disease.

This compares with £17,028 spent on each cancer patient in Nottingham.

Dr Lee Bond, a consultant haematologist at York Hospital, said: "It is shocking. This is an extremely large difference and there is no logical reason why patients in York should have less than half the amount spent on them than in places like Nottingham.

"As doctors, we recommend what we feel is the best treatment for our patients and it is extremely difficult having to tell your patient that the PCT has decided not to fund it.

"The PCT is in a difficult position because of its very limited funds and it is not always clear whether the exceptions panel is making its decisions on clinical efficacy or due to financial reasons."

The new figures revealed stark differences between even neighbouring areas, meaning that if cancer sufferers in York were to move just a few miles they could access a better standard of care.

In Wakefield, cancer patients get on average £12,454 a year - the tenth highest amount of funding in the country.

Selby MP John Grogan said: "I should think that the PCT bosses will want to study these figures carefully to see whether they are spending enough on cancer care, particularly in the light of recent high-profile cases where patients have been denied care."

Earlier this month, we reported the plight of 59-year-old Rose Harrison, of Barlby, nearly Selby, who was refused funding by North Yorkshire And York PCT for the only drug that could save her - Sunitinib.

The mother-of-two, who is suffering from kidney cancer, has already spent all her life savings on two courses of treatment, costing nearly £8,000.

Her husband, Ronald, said: "It's an absolute disgrace and it makes me so angry. I've been told that patients in Wakefield have been given funding for the drug that my wife needs and that just doesn't seem fair. We've all been paying the same taxes.

"Rose still needs more courses of treatment, but the money has almost run out. We're desperate."

Bosses at North Yorkshire And York PCT said the most important factor to take into account was the cancer mortality rate in this area, which is six per cent better than the national average.

Dr Peter Brambleby, director of public health, said the fact that in North Yorkshire and York the mortality rate from cancer was significantly better than the regional and national average indicated that the money the PCT invested in cancer services was used effectively and met the needs of the people living in the area. He said: "The PCT takes into account all new data regarding cancer service requirements and will continue to regularly review the annual funding allocation for all health care services."

Money spent by PCTs per cancer patient per year

Top three

1: £17,028, Nottingham City
2: £16,819, Knowsley
3: £14,999, Manchester

Yorkshire PCTs

10: £12,454, Wakefield District
19: £11,193, Bradford & Airedale
41: £9,884, Hull
54: £9,391, Leeds
128: £6,881, North Yorkshire & York
143: £6,308, East Riding of Yorkshire

Bottom three

150: £5,262, Bedfordshire
151: £5,259, Dorset
153: £5,182, Oxfordshire