Thousands of terminally ill people and their families are living in poverty – with some too terrified to heat their homes, a shock survey reveals.
Carers have found patients lying in distress, curled up under blankets for hours in damp homes.
Data from end-of-life charity Marie Curie found 89% of staff have patients with cash woes.
Some 83% said those in their care could not afford energy bills.
And 56% were very concerned for those with a terminal illness.
Gillian Payne, a healthcare assistant for Marie Curie in Cornwall, said lack of financial support is “making people’s illnesses worse”.
She added: “It is reducing both the length and quality of life. I have arrived at homes to find patients have been sitting in soiled clothing for hours because they can’t heat their homes and don’t want to get out from under their blankets.
“Others are living in damp homes because the cost of heating is too high. This isn’t the end of life anyone would imagine for themselves or their loved ones.”
Widow Audrey Buckham, 63, told how mounting debts took a toll as her husband Eddie fell victim to pancreatic cancer.
She declared herself bankrupt a month before Eddie died at 64. Gran Audrey, from Tyne and Wear, said: “We couldn’t survive. One credit card company wrote off the debt but the other wouldn’t. It was horrendous.”
The process of declaring bankruptcy left NHS administrator Audrey in tears and “feeling like a criminal”. She had to draw her pension early to cover costs. Audrey added: “You’re worried about your loved one and at the same time you’re worrying about money – it’s not right.
“When we were assessed for Universal Credit they had to take my earnings into account as well, so Eddie only got £39 a month.
“Going from two full-time wages to being on benefits is horrific. You assume the system will be there to support you when crisis hits. This couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Disabled kids denied free school grub
One in three disabled children are missing out on free school meals.
Some have sensory or dietary needs which stop them using school canteens.
Others are off ill or are taught at home – so also miss out on free meals.
Campaigners want vouchers for disabled children similar to the supermarket school meal tokens which were handed out during the pandemic.
Natalie Hay, 43, whose son Matt, 15, has chronic fatigue syndrome, is fighting for parents to get vouchers – equivalent to £3 a day. The mum from Teddington, South West London, left her job to be her son’s full-time carer. She said: “Some of the parents in my campaign group have two children with a disability and are on Universal Credit. Others are so busy visiting hospitals as their child requires cancer treatment or heart surgery they don’t have the time and energy to fight this discrimination.”
Single mum Danielle Preston says the system is unfair on her children Thea, seven, and Finlay, 10. They have autism and Thea also has ADHD, a dairy allergy and a food intake disorder.
Danielle, 41, from Portsmouth, Hants, said: “I am unable to work due to caring for my son, who is home 24/7. Vouchers would help and it seems unfair we are shut out through no fault of our own.”
Almost half of 1,500 families entitled to free school meals told the Contact charity they spend £20 a week on food.
Contact’s Una Summerson said free meals improved a child’s achievement and wellbeing, adding: “That’s why we are campaigning for an alternative such as a supermarket voucher.”
The Department for Education said: “Schools are responsible for providing nutritious school meals for registered pupils. It is up to schools how they meet this duty, whether with vouchers or other means.”
