Rowen calls for an end to treatment postcode lottery

Date published: 08/06/2006

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has called for assurances that people in Rochdale are not affected by a "postcode lottery" when it comes to treatments for asbestosis and mesothelioma patients.  This is especially a concern in Rochdale where a number of former workers at the former Turner Brothers Site are affected. 

Paul recently attended a meeting of the All Party Asbestos Group in Parliament.  It was at this meeting that a consultant, who specialises in cancer treatments gave examples of the postcode lottery, citing several people who were denied treatment because of where they live, despite those treatments being licensed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Paul said: "This is a big concern and I would like to think that any licensed treatment would be available, especially in places like Rochdale.  I would hope that every possible treatment is available for anyone in our area suffering from  Asbestosis and Mesothelioma, and I will not be happy to find out that we are the victims of any postcode lottery.  It seems unfortunate that in this day and age there can be health inequalities because of where you happen to live. 

"One example is that it appears that people across the country have been informed by NHS doctors that they would benefit from Alimta, but that the Primary Care Trusts would not pay for the treatment.  At the root of this mesothelioma treatment postcode lottery was the decision taken by the Primary Care Trusts to withhold treatment until the outcome of the NICE evaluation of Alimta is published in October 2006.  I believe that many people would not live to see the outcome of the NICE Review and I would hope to see every possible treatment available now."