CANCER bosses in the region say they need extra cash to continue the pace of improvements in patient care.

This week, Health Secretary John Reid ordered a new drive to end postcode prescribing.

He announced that "Cancer Tsar" Professor Mike Richards would be touring the English regions to ensure that all the extra money given to the NHS for cancer care is properly spent.

But the directors of the two cancer care networks serving the North-East and North Yorkshire say they have spent their allocations and will need extra funds if they are to continue to improve cancer care.

Professor Reg Hall, director of Newcastle-based Northern Cancer Network, which extends from north Durham to Berwick, said that while great advances had been made, his team could not afford to bring in some new drugs and treatments.

"We have actually spent more than the amount allocated for cancer. Despite that, we are still unable to afford at least one recommended treatment," said Prof Hall.

"Next year, I am not sure we will be able to afford all the improvements we should be making, but until he (Dr Reid) gives us the money to do it, then we have a problem," the professor said.

While the network had new radiotherapy machines, they could only be used effectively if more staff were available, he added.

"We cannot currently employ the additional staff we need to improve treatment for a number of cancers.

"To improve the service and reduce waiting times we need more intensive care beds, more operating theatre time and more in-patient beds, and that means extra capital and revenue for our acute trusts," he said.

Prof Hall said the network was now spending an extra £3m a year on cancer drugs and treatments.

Fran Leaper, director of the Middlesbrough-based Cancer Care Alliance, which covers South Durham, Teesside and part of North Yorkshire, said: "There is no postcode prescribing in our network and we have greatly improved services for cancer patients."

But Mrs Leaper agreed with Prof Hall that the financial situation was going to be "very tight".

She added: "We share concerns about being able to fund new drugs."

Mrs Leaper said her network was also spending an extra £3m a year on drugs and treatment. "We are making a difference and saving lives," she said.