A HAMPSHIRE grandmother says she has been given a “death sentence” by health bosses after being refused a drugs lifeline.

Her family, doctor and MP are now considering launching an appeal against the decision of Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) which says Linda Lemon’s case is not “exceptional” enough.

After a three-month wait Linda is now preparing to celebrate what will probably be her last Christmas after being told she will not be given the treatment that could add years to her life.

Her doctor said the new drug Revlimid is being withheld from the 60-year-old because of its cost – about £32,000 for an eight-month course.

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The Netley mother-of three said: “I am disgusted and angry. My husband,my mum and dad and I have worked all our lives and to be treated like this when there is a drug out there that could help is heartbreaking.

“There is no way of describing how I feel knowing this will probably be my last Christmas. The hardest part was trying to explain it to my grandchildren.”

Linda has been told she has about five months to live but the new drug could have given her as much as three precious years with her family.

The decision not to provide this vital treatment was made by the area referrals panel at Hampshire PCT.

In a letter to the family and her doctor trust boss Gareth Cruddnace said the trust considers Linda’s case a: “low priority due to limited evidence on clinical effectiveness and lack of evidence on cost effectiveness.”

The letter stated: “Unfortunately, after considering all the information provided in the correspondence received, and informed by the further clinical information provided by you to Dr Stuart Ward, the area panel is unable to support your funding request for Mrs Lemon.

“I appreciate that this will be disappointing to Mrs Lemon. However, if new information or evidence comes to light that demonstrates exceptionality in this case please inform us so the case can be reconsidered.”

It is not the first time a member of Linda’s family has been affected by this aggressive form of cancer. Twenty years ago her father, Fredrick Young, died of the same condition.

Since her diagnosis three years ago she has also lost her mother Hilda Young and her uncle Andy Sharp to cancer.

Linda has tried several chemotherapy treatments, a stem cell transplant and two doses of radiotherapy to try to stave off the effects of the killer disease.

Freely used in other countries, in England it is only used in the NHS in “exceptional”

circumstances or by private clinicians.

The specialist treating Linda, consultant haematologist Dr Alastair Smith, told the Daily Echo this treatment could extend Linda’s life and he believes it will be approved by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the next year or so.

Linda’s husband said: “I just can’t see how the people who made this decision can be human – the news is devastating.”