Your Pembrokeshire
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting WTEL NEWS to 80360 or email »
Grandmother wins cancer drug fight
1:59am Sunday 12th October 2008
A grandmother with terminal cancer who faced moving to Scotland to get life-saving drugs free on the NHS has won her battle with health bosses in England to fund the medication that is keeping her alive.
The landmark ruling means that other cancer sufferers in the area that may benefit from the drug will now be given Tarceva on the NHS.
Carol Rummels, from Stoke Lodge, in Bristol, was given just two months to live after being diagnosed with brain and lung cancer last summer but after taking the drug Tarceva the tumours shrank, prolonging her life by another 12 months.
But over the past six months she has been handing over £1,500 from her savings every month to pay for the tablets.
In Scotland the drug is free on the NHS, but in South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust had previously refused to fund the treatment saying it would not "routinely" fund the drug, but would consider each individual case.
But on Friday health bosses made a dramatic U-turn and told Mrs Rummels they would pay for the drug after she appealed against the decision.
Mrs Rummels, 61, says she was delighted with the decision which now sets a precedent.
She said today: "When I read the letter I was shocked, I couldn't believe it.
"The great part is that they have now got to give this funding for everyone in South Gloucestershire who needs Tarceva and that makes me feel really good because this is not just for me, it may not be for the whole of England but a corner of it is good enough."
Mrs Rummels and her husband Bruce have already spent more than £13,000 of their life savings on the drug which has shrunk her tumours significantly.
Editor's Choice
"Irreplaceable Babs was the People's Nan" say colleagues
More colleagues of Barbara Knights have voiced their messages of grief and condolence at the death of the "selfless and irreplaceable" cleaner who had worked at the Dragon LNG site since the beginning of the project.
Win a free family holiday for your Welsh mum of the year
Do you know a marvellous mum? Are you one yourself? Here's your chance to nominate either yourself or a role-model mother you know for the Newsquest / Netmums Mum of the Year competition.
Send your messages of support to our brave boys
As Christmas draws closer and people in Pembrokeshire start to think about soldiers from the county who are posted overseas, we at the Western Telegraph want to help you get your messages of support and solidarity and Christmas cheer to them.
Customers gobble up Christmas turkeys
High feed prices are pushing up the cost of Christmas turkeys — but producers in Pembrokeshire are reporting good demand from consumers after warnings that festive poultry may be in short supply.
Furzy Mount dung beetles subject of study
The dung beetle population on a Pembrokeshire farm is to be examined in detail to establish the impact of wormers on the species.
Six Welsh champions return
The Welsh national special needs championships took place on Sunday, November 9th at Cardiff central youth club.
Manorbier girls triumph with nine players
Once again, due to injury and captain Molly Furnival-Doran away on international duty, Manorbier girls were only able to field nine players against championship rivals Llanelli.
Clarbeston Road Players line up a perfect panto
More than 30 years ago, the Clarbeston Road Players was set up by Chriswen Vaughan who lived in the village.
Theatr Mwldan showcases Opera Teifi's Kiss Me Kate
Theatr Mwldan will be alive with the sound of music this week as Opera Teifi takes to the stage with Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate.
A grandmother has won her battle with health bosses to fund her medication
In this section
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
