Cancer patient 'forced to move to get treatment'

A terminally ill cancer patient is planning to move from England to Scotland to access treatment that could prolong his life.

George King, 56, has fought the rare bone marrow cancer Multiple Myeloma twice.

The aggressive condition will return and the electrical engineer from Skelton in Teesside has been advised that any further treatment would involve the drug Velcade, which has not been approved for use in England.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), has argued that it is too expensive when measured against its results.

Mr King is now preparing for a move to the Scottish Borders where the drug is available to patients.

He said: "People with terminal illnesses shouldn't have to fight for treatment. It's so frustrating.

"This drug is available not only in Europe, but just a few miles north of where I live."

He added: "I don't have any other option but to move away from my family, friends and the people who've helped me through the cancer until now."

Father-of-three Mr King was first diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2002. The cancer returned two years later.

His consultant recommended Velcade for his next treatment, which has been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium, the NICE equivalent north of the border.

He and his wife have already made a trip to the Scottish Borders to look at places to stay.

Mr King said he wants to have the arrangements in place as he will not have the energy to arrange the move when he is ill.

He said he is waiting to hear the outcome of an appeal against the guidance issued by NICE, which will be heard next month.