A LEADING charity has stepped in to give help and support to cancer patients facing a long wait for treatment at a top North-west hospital.

Reports that patients due to start radiotherapy treatment at Manchester's Christie Hospital are being forced to wait three times as long as they should because of a cash shortage has prompted Cancerlink to step in and offer help to patients already under stress.

Under national guidelines cancer patients should wait no longer than two weeks for treatment.

Hospital chiefs have blamed a shortage of cash and staffing for the queues at Christie, which have already hit the headlines.

Royce Batters, Christie Hospital's Director of Finance, has already warned patients that this year will be a "tough one" as cancer treatment is not a top priority with hard-up health authorities.

Cancerlink director Angela Hayes, said: "These reports may leave many people worried about cancer services at the hospital. They are welcome to contact us for general information about cancer and support."

Cancerlink gives free support and information about cancer to anyone, anywhere in Britain. It already supports a network of individuals and more than 500 cancer support and self-help groups.

Cancerlink can be contacted on its freephone cancer information helpline 0800 132905. The freephone MAC helpline for young people is 0800 591028.

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