Hospital averts cash crisis

The funding crisis has prompted a review of services

A cash crisis at a leading UK cancer hospital has been averted after health bosses agreed to divert money from other NHS budgets.

The Christie Hospital in Manchester had feared it would be forced to introduce waiting lists for chemotherapy, after its annual funding ran out.

However, on Thursday the hospital announced money was to be redirected from other health budgets to help fund its chemotherapy.

A major review of cancer care across Greater Manchester will also be carried out in the light of funding problems.

It will look at treatment both at the Christie and local hospitals.

This news will be huge relief to our patients, their families and our staff

Joanna Wallace
The Christie Hospital

Last year doctors at the hospital carried out 7,200 more treatments than they had budgeted for.

Some of their costs were met later, but the hospital had been told that there would be no extra funds this year.

Dr Kevin Snee, speaking on behalf of the 14 primary care trust, said: "Waiting lists for chemotherapy are clearly unacceptable, both for the public and our clinical colleagues.

"We continue to invest heavily in cancer services, one of the government's key priority areas.

"I am confident that the review we have initiated will shape a modernised, integrated cancer service for Greater Manchester."

Joanna Wallace, chief executive at the Christie, said: "This news will be huge relief to our patients, their families and our staff."

Because of strict funding rules, money for treatment must come from the NHS and hospitals cannot use cash it has resceived from other sources, such as charity fundraising.