[lettie]

The so-called postcode lottery is unfair, but all users of the NHS have the right to go anywhere in the country for their treatment. People very often aren't informed of this but they should be. It is up to the individual to research their own condition, find out where offers the best treatment and then ask to go there. Sometimes GP's won't refer to these places because it may come off their budget and be expensive.

As an example, at Blackburn we will often refer our ladies for nuchal translucency screening at Leeds. This is deemed an essential test in pregnancy if you are considered at high risk of producing a child with Down's Syndrome for instance. The test will not be available in B'burn until 2007. If you are at high risk then the test is free in Leeds, if you are low risk but want the test anyway then you have to pay. The women at high risk are informed of this test, the women at low risk are not yet informed, but will often use other sources ie internet to find out that the test is available.