Last June, Nick Dipper was diagnosed with cancer.
It is such a rare form of the disease that full clinical trials have not been carried out.
And that means the licensing of the drugs to combat it is limited.
In fact, Nick has missed out because the tumour is in the wrong place by barely an inch.
It is in the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the mouth.
And the drug he desperately needs is only licensed to be used up to the mouth.
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That Nick is missing out on potentially life-saving treatment by the slimmest of margins is the cruelest of blows.
That’s not the end of the cruelty.
The drug that could save his life will cost £200,000 if he can find the money to pay for it.
So he could go private and get it – from the same NHS doctor who cannot treat him now.
His wife Lisa says she feels so angry that his survival simply comes down to money.
We all know the NHS is over-stretched.
That budgets are at breaking point. But there are things that could be cut. Waste in the system.
This is not a case where saving money is the priority.
Tests indicate Nick would have a 90 per cent chance of success with the drug Nivolumab.
Of course there are rules. They should be respected.
But like all rules, there should be an element of discretion and compassion.
Nick is 51 years old and would leave behind a wife and twin boys aged just three.
We know everyone with cancer has a story, but this one is particularly heartbreaking.
And the NHS must do all it can to give the Dipper family the chance of a happy ending by giving him the drug he needs.
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Time for Ms Bond?
James Bond is a British institution.
We all know the trappings – the cars, the martinis, the girls.
That could be about to change.
Daniel Craig himself has said he would welcome a female 007.
Many think Bond on screen must be faithful to Bond in the books.
But it’s always exciting when well-loved characters get fresh life breathed into them.
Our favourite Time Lord is now a woman so why not our favourite secret agent?
