Secrecy not needed!

3:13pm Monday 1st October 2001

PATIENTS in Bromley do not have an open and user-friendly appeals process for medical treatment, according to a local health watchdog.

Last month the News Shopper reported how two Bromley prostate cancer sufferers, Frank Rose and Victor McDonnell, won an appeal hearing to get funding for top treatment.

But members of the Bromley Community Care Group are angry health chiefs announced the appeal decision “would not set a precendent for any future requests for brachytherapy treatment”.

They also told Bexley, Greenwich and Bromley health authority meeting they felt the appeals process, which is jointly organised by the health authority and Bromley Primary Care Trust, should be clearer and not secret.

Speaking at the meeting, health authority chairman Dr Stewart Kay said funding decisions have to balance need with cost but admitted the appeals decision needed to be changed.

Chairman of the Community Care Group Maria Goldenberg said: “We are glad Mr Rose and Mr McDonnell got the treatment but it is worrying the PCT has said the appeal decision will not set a precedent for other patients.”

She believes this could lead to patients having to pay for brachytherapy privately.

The treatment costs between £6,000 and £10,000.

Mrs Goldenberg added: “There is a real need for more clarity and accountabilty in the appeals process. It is not clear where funding is coming from and who is on the Priorities Forum because appeals hearings are held in secret.”

Health authority chief executive Micheal Kerin said part of the problem in the appeals process was due to the NHS “being in a permanent state of transition. We need a better understanding between the PCT, the health authority and consultants. The appeals process is a hot issue and needs to be looked at”.

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