Latest news with #terminalillness
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Houghton widow wants terminally ill council tax exemption
A widow who says she had to choose between buying food or paying hundreds of pounds in council tax is urging all authorities to remove the charge for terminally ill Buckham, from Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, became bankrupt after leaving her job to care for husband Eddie until he died aged 64 from pancreatic cancer in plea comes after Manchester became the first authority to scrap council tax for households affected by terminal illness, saying it wants to "help ease the burden".Sunderland City Council says it is considering a version of the scheme, but does have a "series of discounts, exemptions and support" available. End of life charity Marie Curie said it hoped more councils would follow Manchester's lead and make a "big difference to the people who benefit from it". Up until Mr Buckham's diagnosis in 2020 the pair "lived comfortably", but their income fell significantly after he was no longer able to work. Mrs Buckham continued to work for the NHS but eventually had to quit as her husband's condition worsenedAs a result their income "just dropped", she told the BBC."You shouldn't have to worry that you're going to die with no money, or what will happen to the family after you die, because they'll be struggling." 'Tried to hide it' Mrs Buckham claimed she had previously asked the local authority for a council tax reduction but was told she was not eligible as they were not on a "low income".However, she said after leaving her job all money in pension pots and life savings "dried up". She ran up thousands of pounds of debt - including meeting £125 monthly council tax payments - trying to support her and her husband."I tried to hide it, it wasn't until I had to declare myself bankrupt and I went to Eddie 'we're struggling'."We cried together and then he was worrying about me, the family, the house."If you're palliative, everybody should be able to get it regardless, it shouldn't just be if you're on a lower benefit." In Manchester, council tax is reduced to zero for the entire household if one of the tenants has a terminal diagnosis and less than a year to live. The discount is also applied for up to twelve months, or the start of the next financial year, after the person's death. It is not based on income. Jamie Thunder, from Marie Curie, said councils needed to do more to provide specific support for those with terminal illness."For anyone, losing a large amount of income overnight would cause problems," he said."You've still got the same bills, you've still got the same rent."There's also lots of other types of bills that could really increase at the same time... like energy costs [and] medical devices that they need to use."He welcomed the approach in Manchester, adding: "Although local authorities are under financial pressure, this isn't going to break the bank."We're not talking about a large number of people, we are talking about a big difference to the people who benefit from it." In response, Sunderland City Council said it was "very sorry to hear about Audrey and Eddie".A spokesperson said it "would always urge residents to contact the council if they are having any financial difficulties".In addition to council tax discounts, discretionary reductions were considered on individual circumstances, the council Department for Work and Pensions previously said carers may be able to receive bereavement support and there was a range of support available. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
'I bought my first home then was told I have cancer'
A 28-year-old woman has described the "absolutely awful" moment she was diagnosed with terminal cancer just months after getting engaged and buying her first Lonergan fell ill while on holiday in South Africa in January 2024, and remembers a sudden loss of appetite, breathlessness, and weight loss."I'd been the same weight for about 10 years so I instantly knew something was wrong," she initially put her symptoms down to a viral infection but after several scans she was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. Ms Lonergan, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said the results were "a massive shock" because she and her fiancé Will Rotheram were both "really fit, and had never smoked". Months after surgery to remove a tumour in the April, she got even more bad news."I was told the cancer had spread and that I'd be referred to The Christie to see a specialist," Ms Lonergan is now in the hands of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, in Manchester, described as one of Europe's leading cancer went on to have further surgery to remove a significant part of her lungs but in December the diagnosis worsened again."They told me it was Stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer, and that it was now in my neck and the lymph nodes around my chest area," Laura cancer was rare, incurable, and Laura was given less than 10 years to live. "It was devastating to find out," her partner said. "We got the first diagnosis on the Monday and then got the keys to our house on the Friday."Ms Lonergan said the whole experience had been "terrifying"."When you hear the words cancer, the first thing you think is that you're going to die; so it was absolutely awful."However, the running enthusiasts also wanted to use the difficult news for good and will take part in fundraiser for The Christie later as a sign of appreciation for the treatment they have Rotheram, who completed the Manchester Marathon in April, will join 14 friends on a monster 100 km (61 miles) Ultra Challenge in the Peak Lonergan, alongside friends and family, will run with them for the first 10 miles. Raise awareness "It's an unbelievably hard challenge," said Mr Rotheram, who ran a 100k back in 2023. "I did it with a couple of friends and said I'd never do it again because it was the hardest thing I've ever done. You're awake for well over 24 hours and so you get sleep deprived."Ms Lonergan recalled running the Manchester half marathon in October, completely unaware she had a collapsed lung."I'd be training for months but found it very difficult, and thought it was because I wasn't fit enough," she said."I was having panic attacks and my airway was blocked from the tumour, so I wasn't getting any oxygen."She still finished the race in just over two above all the pair said the main goal is "to raise awareness"."If you do feel that something isn't right in your body, you do need to push it with your doctors so you are heard," Mr Rotheram far they have raised more than £26,000 for The Christie. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump administration slaps down UK after MPs pass assisted dying bill
The Trump administration has lashed out at the UK after MPs passed Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill - accusing Britain of 'standing for surrender and death'. The president's State Department said the US 'reaffirms the sanctity of life' in an attack on the Labour MP's Terminally Ill Adults Bill. 'The western world should stand for life, vitality and hope over surrender and death,' it said in a social media post from its Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour. It said the bill is 'euphemistically' said to be for terminally ill adults, but described it instead as 'state-subsidised suicide'. A UK-based campaigner on assisted dying hit back, saying: 'They do know 12 US states already do assisted dying right?' The states where assisted dying is legal are California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. The attack comes a week after the bill, which would legalise assisted dying for those diagnosed with a terminal illness, passed with a slim majority of just 23 votes. Those with fewer than six months to live would be able to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist. The bill is now heading to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, where it is set to face more opposition. The US intervention came after Sir Keir Starmer slapped down Wes Streeting for raising concerns over how assisted dying would be funded if it becomes law. The prime minister said he was 'confident we've done that preparation' and that it is his job to 'make sure the bill is workable, and that means workable in all its aspects'. Last week's crunch assisted dying vote, which saw the bill narrowly pass by just 23 votes, came after months of impassioned debate, culminating in a tense third reading debate on Friday. Ms Leadbeater described the passing of the assisted dying bill at third reading as a 'result that so many people need'. The Spen Valley MP added: 'When you've spent as much time as I have with people who have got experience of losing loved ones in very difficult circumstances, and you've spent time with terminally ill people who are just asking for choice at the end of their days, then this is absolutely the right thing to do.' Among the MPs who backed the bill were the prime minister and his predecessor, Rishi Sunak. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, health secretary Mr Streeting and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, meanwhile, voted against. The passage of the bill in parliament has put the UK at odds with the US, and marks the second time the State Department has criticised Britain under Sir Keir. The department's human rights arm previously warned of its 'concerns about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom' after the prosecution of anti-abortion campaigner Livia Tossici-Bolt. Labour and Ms Leadbeater have been asked to comment.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Trump's US accuses UK of backing ‘state-subsidised suicide' after assisted dying bill passes
The Trump administration criticised the UK's recently passed assisted dying bill, labelling it as 'state-subsidised suicide'. The US State Department 's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour stated that the 'western world should stand for life, vitality and hope over surrender and death' in response to the legislation. The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater, passed the House of Commons by a narrow margin of 23 votes. The bill would permit terminally ill individuals with less than six months to live to apply for assisted death, pending approval from two doctors and a panel of professionals. The legislation is now advancing to the House of Lords for further review, and this marks the second instance of the US State Department criticising Britain under Sir Keir.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump administration slaps down UK after MPs pass assisted dying bill
The Trump administration has lashed out at the UK after MPs passed Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill - accusing Britain of 'standing for surrender and death'. The president's State Department said the US 'reaffirms the sanctity of life' in an attack on the Labour MP's Terminally Ill Adults Bill. 'The western world should stand for life, vitality and hope over surrender and death,' it said in a social media post from its Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour. It said the bill is 'euphemistically' said to be for terminally ill adults, but described it instead as 'state-subsidised suicide'. The attack comes a week after the bill, which would legalise assisted dying for those diagnosed with a terminal illness, passed with a slim majority of just 23 votes. Those with fewer than six months to live would be able to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist. The bill is now heading to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, where it is set to face more opposition. The US intervention came after Sir Keir Starmer slapped down Wes Streeting for raising concerns over how assisted dying would be funded if it becomes law. The prime minister said he was 'confident we've done that preparation' and that it is his job to 'make sure the bill is workable, and that means workable in all its aspects'. Last week's crunch assisted dying vote, which saw the bill narrowly pass by just 23 votes, came after months of impassioned debate, culminating in a tense third reading debate on Friday. Ms Leadbeater described the passing of the assisted dying bill at third reading as a 'result that so many people need'. The Spen Valley MP added: 'When you've spent as much time as I have with people who have got experience of losing loved ones in very difficult circumstances, and you've spent time with terminally ill people who are just asking for choice at the end of their days, then this is absolutely the right thing to do.' Among the MPs who backed the bill were the prime minister and his predecessor, Rishi Sunak. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, health secretary Mr Streeting and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, meanwhile, voted against. The passage of the bill in parliament has put the UK at odds with the US, and marks the second time the State Department has criticised Britain under Sir Keir. The department's human rights arm previously warned of its 'concerns about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom' after the prosecution of anti-abortion campaigner Livia Tossici-Bolt.
