A wheelchair-bound grandad, who was told he had just months to live, claims he cannot get medication which may extend his life.

David Skinner, a former pub landlord, was diagnosed with a serious lung disease and was referred from a London hospital to Medway Maritime Hospital in April.

A consultant from Guy's Hospital gave him a recommendation for a drug which could prolong the six-month lifeline initially served on him.

But since the referral, he says he has been unable to get an appointment with the respiratory specialist and several attempts to get the recommended drug have fallen on deaf ears.

However, Medway NHS Foundation Trust says it is not a specialist centre and therefore not authorised to give out the drug.

Mr Skinner, 75, fears his life is ticking away and he may be denied spending precious time with his close-knit family.

It is believed he could have developed breathing problems from passive smoking at the Dog and Bone pub in Gillingham he ran with partner Elayne for 22 years.

While he has had the scan needed before the drug Nintedanib can be authorised, he has still not got a prescription - three months into his six-month lifeline.

On his retirement, Mr Skinner moved to the coast after leaving the pub in Jeffery Street in June last year.

But they returned to the town shortly afterwards because they missed their friends and now live in nearby Trafalgar Street.

He said: “When I was told I had not got long it was a real shock.

“I was put on steroids, which made me feel great. I even thought I might take up golf again but was taken off them because I was told I could not take them long term.

“But then the consultant gave me the name of this drug and all of a sudden this gave me hope.

“I would love to have more time with my daughters and grandchildren.

“It is very frustrating. I have come to the papers because I don’t know where else to go.”

"I would love to have more time with my daughters and grandchildren... it's very frustrating" - David Skinner

Harvey McEnroe, chief operating officer at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Some medications can only be prescribed by specialist centres, as these centres provide the most appropriate care for patients with certain complex conditions.

“Patients who require these medications are referred to the nearest specialist centre for their treatment to ensure they receive the safest and most clinically appropriate care.

“We have been in contact with Mr Skinner to discuss his treatment, and we encourage him to get in touch if he has any further concerns.”

KentOnline has since learned that Mr Skinner has an appointment at Guy's, a specialist respiratory centre, where he is hoping to get the drug.

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