A GRANDMA refused a vital lung cancer drug because she lives five miles outside Greater Manchester is beginning private treatment today.

As reported in the M.E.N. last week, Ethel Hallam, 70, was being treated in Wythenshawe Hospital for asbestos-related cancer, when her consultant recommended a pioneering form of chemotherapy called Alimta.

But Derbyshire Primary Care Trust refused to fund the é6,000 medical costs, despite other patients on the ward being granted the drug.

And Mrs Hallam is not eligible for treatment because she retired to Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire, which is outside the catchment area.

Around 50 people from Greater Manchester are prescribed the drug, which extends and improves cancer sufferers' quality of life, each year.

Mrs Hallam branded the decision as "shameful and unjust".

She has now won the chance to appeal the decision after campaigners travelled to Westminster to petition MPs.

But friends and family have now become so concerned about Mrs Hallam's failing health that they have arranged for her to be treated privately.

She is expected to receive her first dose of Alimta in a private ward at the Christie, or at the Alexandra Hospital today.

Her daughter Louise Dowd said: "Mum was so shocked by the trust's refusal to pay she seems to have gone downhill very quickly in the last week or so. We had to do something.

"We have tried previously to pay for mum to have Alimta but it is such a new drug it is difficult to find somewhere staff have experience with it.

"I am feeling positive about the appeal - at least I feel something is happening now. We are working very hard to gather all the evidence and support we can."

The family will have to pay around é4,000 for the drug, the overnight stay and the private care package.

But they hope to win their appeal next Monday so Mrs Hallam can continue her treatment at Wythenshawe.

A spokesman for Wythenshawe Hospital said: "The patient was recommended for treatment with Alimta on clinical grounds. PCTs within Greater Manchester have agreed to fund the drug for Greater Manchester patients.

"For patients outside Greater Manchester funding has to be agreed with individual PCTs, and in this case it was not agreed." A spokesman for Derbyshire County PCT said: "We take our responsibilities very seriously and take every care in reaching decisions. Should NICE recommend treatment be made available, we will implement it at the earliest opportunity."

amanda.crook@men-news.co.uk

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