LIFE-extending drugs have been given to 158 NHS cancer patients in the South West over the last six months, thanks to new funding.

The region, which includes Dorset, was allocated the money out of a £50million a year interim fund set up to give patients greater access to cancer drugs recommended for them by their doctors.

A national £200million a year Cancer Drugs Fund was launched at the beginning of April and the South West has been allocated £19.2million in the coming year.

Dr Mike Durkin, medical director at the South West Strategic Health Authority, said: “Through the scheme, many patients have now received treatment that we know is likely to be clinically effective.”

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, pictured left, said the fund could give cancer sufferers “precious extra time with their loved ones”.

Consultants apply for funding to an independent panel made up of regional cancer experts, including oncologists, haematologists and palliative care specialists.

Chairman James Palmer, medical director for the South West Specialist Commissioning Group, said: “The panel has worked to deliver swift decisions and the vast majority of applications have been approved.

“In the South West, we have seen increased access to drugs for patients with rarer cancers and we are pleased that the new fund will allow this to continue.”

The Cancer Drugs Fund comes in addition to primary care trusts’ usual drugs spending, which covers all treatments recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence).

Clinicians can still apply for exceptional NHS funding of drugs that are not normally available.