A cancer patient has been left "scared and devastated" after being told his life-saving treatment has been delayed because of Brexit .
Richard Kelly from Barton Hill was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017 which has since spread to his liver.
The 53-year-old was told back in February that he would receive cutting-edge treatment known as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT).
However, he says his oncologist at Bristol Royal Infirmary informed him last month that the treatment had been delayed due to uncertainties over the UK's future relationship with the EU.
"I asked my doctor when I am going to receive this treatment," Mr Kelly told Bristol Live.
"He told me this treatment had been delayed indefinitely due to Brexit and the uncertainties caused by parliament not coming to a decision regarding our future relationship with the EU.
"He said NHS England were unable to set up a budget due to this uncertainty."
He said he was initially left in a state of disbelief when he was told the shock news.
"It didn't really sink in at first," he said.
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"As I was walking away from the hospital with my wife, I was then like - hold on a minute, that's outrageous."
Mr Kelly added that having this treatment suddenly taken away from him had left him fearful for the future.
Consultants determined earlier this year that the cancer had progressed in his liver and was incurable with surgery.
"I'm scared and a bit devastated," he said.
"This treatment was the light at the end of the tunnel.
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"To be offered this hope and then have it taken away because of Brexit.
"When is certainty going to return for treatment for chronic illnesses?"
What the hospital trust said
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust denied a link between SIRT funding and Brexit preparations but apologised for "any confusion".
“Whilst we can’t go into specifics about individual cases, we apologise if any confusion has been caused in this instance," a spokesman said.
"We are not a specialist centre for this particular treatment but Mr Kelly is receiving appropriate care for his condition.
"We would like to clarify that there is no relationship between the funding for this treatment and planning for an exit from the European Union (EU).”
A NHS England spokesperson added: “The NHS introduced new guidelines for this treatment last month so that every patient who meets the criteria can receive it in one of the 10 specialist centres across the country.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with Brexit, and we are pursuing this case with the trust to ensure Mr Kelly gets the right treatment for his condition.”
