A woman who has been fighting cancer for five years has welcomed a review of rules that prevent patients from contributing to the cost of their care.

Sheila Norrington, from Barming, Maidstone, was diagnosed with bowel cancer five years ago.

The NHS will not give her the drug Cetuximab, which she believes could extend her life, because it is not recommended for patients with her condition.

Click on the audio link above to hear Mrs Norrington interviewed on kmfm

She is prepared to pay for the drug, which would cost £4,800, but under current rules if she does so she would also have to pay for the rest of her treatment - an estimated bill of £18,000.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced in the House of Commons on Tuesday that he had asked for a review of the rules.

Mr Johnson told the house that guidance on the issue of patients paying to “top up” their care had existed for 20 years, but it was now time to get an “up-to-date view”.

He said: “This is a very complex issue so it needs to be reviewed. We want to be fair to everyone... while protecting the principles of the NHS.”

For the full story see this Friday's Kent Messenger