KEETCH TO QUESTION HEALTH SECRETARY OVER CROSS BORDER DRUGS ISSUE

7.49.38pm GMT Mon 24th Oct 2005

Paul Keetch, MP for Hereford, will tomorrow question the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt MP over the issue that certain NHS treatments are being confined to certain areas of the country and not made available to the entire population.

Mr Keetch will tackle the Health Secretary over the use of the cancer drug, Velcade and to why it is available to certain patients in Scotland and Wales but not patients in England.

Commenting Mr Keetch said,

"I am appalled that there should be any disparity in available treatments. I intend to question the Health Secretary as to when the cancer drug, Velcade will be made available in England."

"Devolution is one thing but provision of healthcare should be common throughout the UK. Patients from Wales are treated at Hereford's County Hospital, in my constituency, without restriction - this surely should apply to all available treatments regardless of place of residence."