John Reid says he is hopeful of a 'satisfactory' outcome

Bob Norburn from Bolton in Greater Manchester paid �8,000 for cryo-therapy, a treatment which some health authorities will pay for.

Bolton Primary Health Care Trust did not pay for Mr Norburn's treatment.

Dr Reid confirmed on Tuesday that he had spoken to Mr Norburn and was hopeful of a "satisfactory" outcome.

Dr Reid was visiting a walk-in health centre in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

It was there that Bob Norburn and his supporters, carrying placards, lobbied the Health Minister. Mr Norburn was invited into the surgery to have a ten-minute meeting with Dr Reid.

Dr Reid said: "He's told me the details of his case. In the short time that I've had to check up on this, I've discussed it with the local health authority and of course this is a local decision.

"I'm convinced that in the light of the discussions I've had this morning, that there will be a satisfactory resolution of this case."

Mr Norburn was successfully treated for prostate cancer through cryo-therapy, a method of treatment that involves destroying abnormal tissue by freezing it.

Mr Norburn has since been campaigning for the cost of the treatment to be reimbursed.