THE National Institute of Clinical Guidance (Nice) has an important role to play in the modern health service.

The resources of the NHS are finite, yet the demands made on it are infinite and increasingly expensive.

It is vital that an independent agency exists to assess the cost-effectiveness of new drugs when they come on the market.

We fully respect the right of Nice to carefully consider the use of the drug Glivec in the NHS treatment of leukaemia sufferers.

But equally we understand the intense frustration of Ann Tittley. She is desperate to be prescribed the drug because it offers her an increased chance of being cured.

Her frustration is compounded by the fact that the drug is already available to NHS patients in Scotland.

It is difficult not to concur with Mrs Tittley's feelings of iniquity at such a situation.

There appears to be no logical reason for any further delay in Nice reaching a conclusion on the availability of Glivec.

This drug was successfully trialled in the North-East three years ago, and has already achieved some notable successes.

If it has been approved on both clinical and financial grounds by the authorities, it is difficult to see why similar approval has not been given in England and Wales.

A poor show

THE establishment of the Gala Theatre in Durham City should be the cause of some celebration.

Sadly, it is a cause of resentment for the creditors who are almost £700,000 out of pocket following the collapse of the theatre's management company.

How it was possible for a company to amass such debts within four months of the theatre opening is a matter of grave public concern. Not least for the council taxpayers of Durham City who have lost £200,000.

Yesterday's meeting of creditors rightly called into question the quality of the checks carried out on the management company before it was appointed by the city council.

Also called into question was the quality of scrutiny carried out by the city council on the activities of the management company once it was appointed.

While it is right for the council to examine carefully how the theatre should be run in the future, it must also account for its role in how the theatre was run in the past.