Report claims ‘postcode lottery’ in cancer treatment

New research from the Rarer Cancers Forum (RCF) claims a “postcode lottery” exists for those making an exceptional request for cancer treatment on the NHS.

In its audit of the policies and methods used by primary care trusts (PCTs) to assess exceptional funding requests, the forum found 5,000 patients were forced to demonstrate their exceptionality, with 1,300 having their requests rejected.

The paper found national variations in these decisions, with some areas approving all requests and some approving none.

Furthermore, the RCF claimed there existed a lack of understanding among PCTs of the rules in these cases and of government policy to make decision-making in this area more transparent.

“National guidance should be published informing PCTs how they should process exceptional cases, so that there is greater consistency across the country,” the forum said.

It added targets should be set to speed up the processing of applications, while National Institute of Clinical Health and Excellence guidelines should be altered so fewer patients should have to make exceptional funding requests.

In response to this research, Macmillan Cancer Support said the RCF was correct to highlight the difficulties faced by cancer patients when their treatment is denied by their PCT.