Ocular Melanoma UK Team and attendees at their recent parliamentary reception about securing timely access to treatment for rare cancers.

Two Important Developments This Week Regarding CHEMOSAT for People with Ocular Melanoma That Has Spread to the Liver

NHS England has launched stakeholder testing on a proposed commissioning policy that would allow CHEMOSAT to be routinely funded for eligible adults with liver-dominant metastatic uveal melanoma.

This is an important and positive step, although it is not yet a final funding decision. Stakeholder testing is part of the process NHS England uses to gather views from patients, clinicians, charities and other stakeholders before considering the proposal further.

Ocular Melanoma UK has consistently advocated for equitable access to treatment options for people affected by ocular melanoma. We are encouraged that NHS England is actively considering routine commissioning and that a draft policy is now open for stakeholder review.

NICE has also published draft guidance proposing that CHEMOSAT should remain under special arrangements, rather than move to standard arrangements at this stage. NICE is now consulting on this draft guidance before making a final recommendation.

We know many people affected by ocular melanoma will have strong feelings about NICE’s draft guidance.

It is important to understand that NICE’s interventional procedures guidance does not directly determine whether CHEMOSAT is funded by the NHS. NHS funding decisions are made separately by NHS England.

What Ocular Melanoma UK Is Doing

Ocular Melanoma UK met with NICE yesterday, ahead of its announcement, to better understand the decision and discuss what is now needed so that patients can access treatment.

We are meeting with other stakeholders today to share key points from yesterday’s meeting, discuss the current position and consider how best to respond to both processes.

We are also part of the NHS England working group considering CHEMOSAT funding.

Alongside this, we have met with NHS England and DHSC leaders to discuss the urgent need to accelerate access for patients. This work is ongoing and sits alongside the NICE consultation and NHS England stakeholder testing process.

We will now review the NICE draft guidance and NHS England policy proposal in detail and make submissions where appropriate.

Can Patients and Families Take Part?

NHS England has confirmed that people can respond to the stakeholder testing as an individual, or on behalf of a group or organisation.

This means patients, family members, carers, clinicians and other stakeholders can share their views on the proposed commissioning policy.

The NHS England stakeholder testing process runs until 1 July 2026. NHS England will then review feedback and decide whether a wider public consultation is needed.

The NICE consultation runs from 17 June to 7 July 2026.

Next Steps for Our Community

We will share information with our community about how to take part later today.

We will also arrange opportunities for members to ask questions and discuss these developments with us directly. These online meetings are likely to take place during the week commencing 22 June. If you have any immediate questions or concers please contact our helpline on the details below.

We remain committed to ensuring that the experiences and needs of people affected by ocular melanoma are fully represented and will continue to share updates as they become available.