A CANCER battling former Wordsley councillor and community stalwart says he's been let down in his hour of need after being denied a potentially life-extending drug.

Retired football referee Geoff Southall, of Sandringham Road, said his consultant at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital told him he was medically fit and a suitable candidate to be treated with new radioisotope drug Radium 223.

But five days later he was told an application to go ahead with the treatment had been refused.

The 78-year-old grandfather, a former chairman of Dudley South Conservatives and former Wordsley Carnival committee member, said he's been left wondering "as to the direction and priorities this once great country of ours is moving, in terms of the care of patients like myself, with a cancer related terminal illness".

Mr Southall, who was first diagnosed with cancer nearly ten years ago, said he questions how much the decision has been influenced by his date of birth and the cost of the expensive drugs which are believed to be able to extend life by about four months.

He told the News: "The decision frankly beggars belief. The centralised Cancer Drugs Fund will, I understand, fund this treatment for patients commencing the programme prior to November 6 and it was possible for my proposed treatment to commence early October.

"I am led to believe only one person has been treated with this drug at New Cross, prior to the 'window of opportunity' being slammed shut ahead of the official cut off date.

"This treatment has been operational at both Nottingham and Coventry and perhaps elsewhere in the country, so are we talking post code lottery here?

"My experience poses the question, what value does our country place on human life?

"This inhumane treatment experienced by me, and doubtless thousands of others up and down the land in similar circumstances, is surely disgraceful.

"I have paid into the system for nearly 65 years and indeed am still paying, only to be deprived of necessary help at the most vulnerable time of my life.

"My wife and I have been involved in charity work and helped raise many tens of thousands of pounds. Plus I was, up to three years ago, a local councillor - serving for almost a decade.

"I think I have contributed more than my fair share to the best interests of the country.

"As many friends and relatives have been quick to point out, money appears no object when directed to people who have contributed nothing to the system.

"One is tempted to declare these faceless bureaucrats, making life and death decisions, know the price of everything and the value of nothing."

Mr Southall, a former FA referee assessor who assessed some of today's Premier League refs, said he feels he's "still got something to contribute", adding: "I'm still a council member of Birmingham County Football Association and I support my grandchildren, particularly the youngest one who is into football.

"You just feel very hurt that people are prepared to write you off because you're too old or it's too expensive; it's so disappointing.

"When people are ill they don't want this sort of aggravation. And it isn't just the effect on yourself; it's on your wife, children and grandchildren."

But as the News was going to press today (Wednesday) - the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust issued a statement saying a provisional date of October 6 had been given for Mr Southall to start treatment but approval was awaited.

Gaynor Hill, group manager for cancer services at the trust, said: “The business case to deliver radium 223 has gone through the whole trust process, divisional core, contracting commissioning, Trust Management Committee and was sent to the specialist commissioners on Monday. We await approval from the commissioners.

“We have been in touch with the patient's GP and assured him that we are doing all we can for the patient. The consultant is very passionate and we are fighting to get this treatment delivered.”