NHS worker in Telford seeks £120,000 for liver-directed chemotherapy
A 49-year-old NHS communications worker from Telford is crowdfunding £120,000 to access a high-dose chemotherapy treatment for ocular melanoma that has spread to the liver. Jamie Scott, diagnosed with eye cancer in 2011, has faced a barrier within the health system that has left her unable to receive a treatment that her oncologist describes as the gold standard in this context.
Why the treatment matters and how the NHS currently handles it
The proposed treatment involves delivering high-dose chemotherapy directly to the liver. It has been approved for NHS use under special arrangements, with NICE noting that while it can be provided, there are significant safety concerns and uncertainties about long-term cost-effectiveness. Jamie’s oncologist has indicated that the regimen could offer meaningful control of the disease, potentially extending quality of life even as the liver metastases progress.
Concept and controversy
The approach represents a nuanced case for NHS decision-making. NICE has acknowledged the procedure under special arrangements to gather further evidence on effectiveness and value for money. However, the available data show notable risks of serious complications, complicating timely access for patients like Jamie who face a shrinking therapeutic window as tumour burden grows in the liver.
Jamie’s situation and fundraising reality
Jamie Scott has observed that the path to treatment within the NHS remains blocked despite the clinician’s endorsement of the therapy. With an estimated cost of £40,000 per cycle and most patients requiring at least three cycles, the total target is £120,000. To date, supporters have raised a little over £6,700 through bake sales, merchandise sales with QR codes, and telegraphed fundraising efforts by colleagues.
Momentum and obstacles
Friends and colleagues are rallying around Jamie, but she stresses the difficulty of raising such a sum. She notes the emotional strain: “I feel hopeless right now because my oncologist said this is a gold standard treatment, but he can’t refer me for it. I am trying to fundraise.” The campaign underscores a broader debate about how quickly lifesaving options can be accessed when funding limits and administrative hurdles intersect with clinical need.
What the NHS and NICE say about access and evidence
NICE confirms that, under special arrangements, patients may access the treatment while additional evidence about its clinical effectiveness and value for money is gathered. The agency also warns of serious, well-recognised complications, illustrating the careful balance between offering new options and protecting patients from potential harms.
Impact on patients and potential routes forward
Ocular Melanoma UK notes that about 600 people are diagnosed with ocular melanoma annually in the UK, with up to half developing secondary liver disease. They report that the liver-directed chemotherapy has controlled tumours in many patients and, for some, extended survival. The charity also raised concerns that international patients can travel to the UK for treatment, while domestic patients face fundraising barriers that limit access to potentially life-prolonging care.
Jamie’s campaign shines a light on the real-world consequences of NHS funding decisions when a clinician identifies a gold-standard option but systemic constraints prevent immediate access. Her message is clear: fundraising is not just about money, but about maintaining hope in a system where timely treatment can be the difference between controlling disease and waiting for a future that might not come.
What supporters can do
People interested in helping Jamie can share the JustGiving page, participate in local fundraising activities, or contribute directly to the campaign. The case highlights a broader question for patients, families, and healthcare systems alike: how can innovations be balanced with evidence, safety, and equity of access?
