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HAVE YOUR SAY

SHOULD ALL CANCER DRUGS BE FREE ON THE NHS?

Patients are being denied life-saving treatment

Monday August 11,2008

By Victoria Fletcher Health Editor

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(26)

UP to 1,300 cancer patients have been condemned to an early grave after they were denied treatment, shocking figures reveal.

While patients living in one health trust are being given every new drug, those in another area – often just a few miles away – are refused treatment.

The damning report is the first clear picture of how a “bizarre and demeaning” postcode lottery is operating in England under Labour.

And as the health service celebrates its 60th birthday, the new evidence suggests it is far from its promise of providing “universal, tax-funded and free care at the point of need”.

Last night, cancer campaigners expressed outrage at the scandalous way sufferers are being left to die.
Penny Wilson-Web, the chief executive of the Rarer Cancers Forum which carried out the research, said: “The NHS should be available to all who need it.

"Yet 1,300 cancer patients were denied the treatment that could have made all the difference to them. This audit shows that the ‘exceptional cases’ process is in chaos and patients are suffering.”

* Do YOU think all cancer drugs should be free on the NHS?

* Should patients be left to die as a result of the "bizarre and demeaning" postcode lottery operating under Labour?

*** HAVE YOUR SAY NOW! ***

COR

01.09.08, 6:12am

The Government WONT give a monkeys, mainly because they will be covered by BUPA or other private cover.

They won't need to be in an NHS hospital if they become ill.

No doubt the greedy b*ggers in Westminster would stick the cost on their expenses anyway.

Life as an MP is a 'win, win' situation methinks.

• Posted by: SandieL • Report Comment

SHAMEFUL..

29.08.08, 3:23am

we are the highest taxed country in the world and when on occasion we fall ill and need a bit of the fortune we paid into the country back.. its a slap in the face. in contrast to the moneys wasted by the government in Iraq.. I am speechless at the selfishness of the people governing us.

• Posted by: cor • Report Comment

ALL DRUGS SHOULD BE

20.08.08, 2:42am

of course they should. Would any Socialist tell you otherwise?

• Posted by: brusselssprouts • Report Comment

GORDON GIVING MORE - WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO GIVE

16.08.08, 2:46pm

And again Drop Jaw is giving 2 million away, this time to Georgia. I think its about the UK keep some here.

Russia did the damage let them pay.

Drop Jaw should start to look after the poor of England, It’s disgraceful. Cancer sufferers in England are being denied life saving/life prolonging drugs because they are too expensive, yet this poxy Government gives 2M to Georgia.

I would like to know what on earth is that money supposed to be used for. Are other countries giving aid? A few Russian oligarchs could give that amount without noticing it.....

• Posted by: Jgee • Report Comment

OF COURSE THEY SHOULD......FOR BRITISH CITIZENS!

14.08.08, 10:32pm

What amazes me is that non-British people who have contributed nothing to this country get free medicines regardless.....do I need to say anymore?

This government should be ashamed that they tax illness in this way and yet we subsidise Scotland and Wales for their free prescriptions....don't the people of this country realise that this government holds them with contempt and virement.....wake up everyone they care not for anyone but themsleves!

How do these people live with themsleves?

• Posted by: RealIstic08 • Report Comment

CANCER DRUGS FOR ALL

14.08.08, 2:41pm

Yes, definitely. If the drugs are there then all cancer sufferers should be allowed them. If you have paid N.I. all your life you are entitled to them. It seems once you turn 65 nobody wants to know, the government would be obliged if all people over 65 just snuffed it and save them the cost of issuing life saving drugs. Blair started it Brown is continuing it. This country has had it.

• Posted by: lorna69 • Report Comment