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Sisters in fight for cancer drug Sisters in fight for cancer drug
(about 3 hours later)
Two sisters have interrupted a health trust meeting to demand a cancer drug unavailable in Wales which could help their dying mother.Two sisters have interrupted a health trust meeting to demand a cancer drug unavailable in Wales which could help their dying mother.
Pamela Northcott, 58, from Dyserth, Denbighshire, has a rare kidney cancer and could have just weeks to live.Pamela Northcott, 58, from Dyserth, Denbighshire, has a rare kidney cancer and could have just weeks to live.
Daughters Kate Spall and Emma Northcott interrupted a board meeting of Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust to demand Nexavar, available in parts of England.Daughters Kate Spall and Emma Northcott interrupted a board meeting of Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust to demand Nexavar, available in parts of England.
The NHS Trust said it was unable to authorise use of the drug.The NHS Trust said it was unable to authorise use of the drug.
The sisters claim Nexavar is available within more than 70 English trusts, despite it not yet being recognised by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice).The sisters claim Nexavar is available within more than 70 English trusts, despite it not yet being recognised by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice).
They claim authorities in Wales are "hiding" behind the fact it has not been Nice-approved, and are refusing to use it because of its cost.They claim authorities in Wales are "hiding" behind the fact it has not been Nice-approved, and are refusing to use it because of its cost.
The drug, which can cost up to £40,000, is not a cure, but can help some patients.The drug, which can cost up to £40,000, is not a cure, but can help some patients.
'Judge and jury''Judge and jury'
On Tuesday the sisters interrupted a Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust board meeting.On Tuesday the sisters interrupted a Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust board meeting.
One of them, Kate Spall, told the board: "You have been the master executioner - you have played judge and jury and you have decided to curtail the life at 58 years old, of my mother."One of them, Kate Spall, told the board: "You have been the master executioner - you have played judge and jury and you have decided to curtail the life at 58 years old, of my mother."
She added: "What cowardice, you couldn't even inform us of your decision yourselves.She added: "What cowardice, you couldn't even inform us of your decision yourselves.
"I will never forget the look in her eyes when I had to tell her of your decision. You decided she was not worth saving."I will never forget the look in her eyes when I had to tell her of your decision. You decided she was not worth saving.
Emma Northcott (top) joined her sister to interrupt the meetingEmma Northcott (top) joined her sister to interrupt the meeting
"You had all the information to make the right decision in the right way - instead you chose the path of obstruction, cowardice and euthanasia.""You had all the information to make the right decision in the right way - instead you chose the path of obstruction, cowardice and euthanasia."
Ms Spall now spends much of her time working with kidney patients in England, and claims to have helped many win the right to have Nexavar after appealing the decision of their trusts.Ms Spall now spends much of her time working with kidney patients in England, and claims to have helped many win the right to have Nexavar after appealing the decision of their trusts.
She said: "I can not save mum now, and I know that. She said: "I am determined to make sure nobody else has to go through this."
"But I am determined to make sure nobody else has to go through this."
In a statement, the NHS Trust said the "All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) had decided not to recommend the use of Nexavar for patients in Wales".In a statement, the NHS Trust said the "All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) had decided not to recommend the use of Nexavar for patients in Wales".
It added: "The NHS in Wales is required to follow the recommendations of the AWMSG in all but exceptional circumstances.It added: "The NHS in Wales is required to follow the recommendations of the AWMSG in all but exceptional circumstances.
"It had also been rejected by the equivalent Medicines Group in Scotland. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has yet to consider the use of this drug."It had also been rejected by the equivalent Medicines Group in Scotland. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has yet to consider the use of this drug.
"In view of this advice, the Trust was unable to authorise the use of the drug, and any decision would therefore need to be made by the Denbighshire Local Health Board.""In view of this advice, the Trust was unable to authorise the use of the drug, and any decision would therefore need to be made by the Denbighshire Local Health Board."
The trust said it intended to continue discussions with Ms Spall and the Local Health Board.The trust said it intended to continue discussions with Ms Spall and the Local Health Board.