London NHS policy on robot cancer knife ‘puts lives at risk’

Scores of cancer sufferers in London are being denied NHS treatment with potentially life-saving robot technology, a leading doctor claimed today.

Dr Andrew Gaya, from The Harley Street Clinic said three in four patients referred to him for CyberKnife radiotherapy are being turned down.

He said: "The CyberKnife can obliterate tumours. It's a farce if we give conventional radiotherapy to patients instead. It's vital to treat quickly. Delay puts lives at risk."

Wandsworth and Lambeth primary care trusts are among those that have refused the £20,000 funding for the therapy, which some experts say targets tumours in hard-to-reach areas faster and more effectively than traditional treatments.

A one-off CyberKnife treatment costs £10,000, compared with £3,000 for six weeks of radiotherapy. Some NHS bosses are said to be unconvinced by its effectiveness, although the Royal Marsden is understood to be considering investing in one.

Dr Gaya, who is also an oncologist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, said some patients are resorting to paying for treatment themselves.

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence is to assess the potential benefit of the CyberKnife.

At least 200 patients have been treated with it at The Harley Street Clinic and BUPA's Cromwell Hospital.

NHS Wandsworth's director of strategic planning Graham Mackenzie said: "We have received no requests from NHS patients for the funding of CyberKnife radiotherapy. It is not a treatment we currently commission."

NHS Lambeth public health consultant Dr Jamie Ferguson said: "We are currently assessing individual requests for CyberKnife treatment."