A WOMAN from Chester-le-Street is demanding to know why her father died after waiting ten months for a cancer check-up.

Rita Skeoch, of Quantock Avenue, wants an inquiry into the death of her father, George Barnett.

Mr Barnett, 74, was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in 1999 and underwent an operation. Doctors said he needed a follow-up appointment four months later, to check the cancer had not returned.

Mr Barnett, who lived in Seaham Harbour, became concerned when he did not hear from the hospital, so he visited his GP who contacted the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

The hospital said Mr Barnett's consultant was on holiday. As more time passed, his GP practice again contacted the hospital on his behalf to be told the consultant had retired and might not be replaced.

Despite the best efforts of Mr Barnett's GP, Mrs Skeoch says, the situation lasted 14 months before he was invited back for a check-up. By then the cancer had spread to the lining of his bladder, his lungs and brain.

Mr Barnett was left with only six months to live and he died in June this year. He detailed the problems in a letter left with his will.

Mrs Skeoch said: "His letter is very, very bitter. Unfortunately, he never got to finish his account because he got too ill with his brain tumour, so I've followed it up. Now I want some answers."

Both Easington Primary Care Trust, speaking on behalf of the family's GP, and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, on behalf of the hospital, said they would be happy for the family to contact them to discuss their concerns and said they had official channels through which they could complain.

The NHS trust said: "We sympathise with the family's distress. However, we can't comment on individual patient cases. I would urge the family to contact us. We would be happy to discuss their concerns."

Mr Barnett's case was highlighted on the same day as the Government pledged to end regional differences in cancer care.

The Government has pledged that all cancer patients should receive the treatment they need, but campaigners say 'postcode prescribing' means many patients are denied help.

Health Secretary John Reid said there was still room for improvement to stop Britain lagging behind the rest of Europe.