There is an understandable huge effort to treat Covid-19 patients, but there are other people who need life-saving treatment now. Oncologist Karol Sikora has said delays to cancer treatment could lead to 60,000 premature deaths.
Cancer treatment that seven-year-old Denny Nassy needs is not approved in the UK. He was to have it in the US but the pandemic has frozen this option. His friends and family have been fundraising for months, raising a staggering £440,000 towards the treatment costs of £500,000.
More than 181,000 people have joined a campaign on change.org calling for Health Secretary Matt Hancock to continue lifesaving treatment for those who need it, and to look urgently into bringing the treatment Denny needs to the UK if he cannot fly to America.
I’d encourage everyone else in London to sign the petition at change.org/savedenny.
Mary Robertson
Editor's reply
Dear Mary
One critical part of easing the lockdown will be allowing the NHS to return to normal business and restart cancer screening, treatment and elective surgery.
The Royal Marsden, UCLH and Guy’s are working in partnership to deliver cancer care in the most urgent cases but many patients will miss out. Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS trust is sending cancer patients to a private hospital in Essex. “Clean” hospitals where staff and patients are tested to ensure they are clear of Covid-19 is part of the NHS masterplan. Forget debating an end to social distancing: how to restart cancer care is the priority.
Ross Lydall, Health Editor
Trainspotting
Like your reviewer, I’m enjoying Run [TV Preview, 22 April], but anyone who thinks US trains are that spacious and gleaming with restaurant-grade buffet cars is deluded. It is no better than national rail across the pond. At least it’s escapism for times where no one is going anywhere fast.
Lesley Donnelly
