Over £535,000 awarded to Northern Ireland cancer patients in poverty

Poverty is a problem for increasing numbers of Northern Ireland cancer patients with almost 1,600 people claiming Macmillan Cancer Support hardship grants last year. New figures show the number of people in desperate need who were awarded the payment in 2009 rose by almost ten per cent compared to the previous year.

In total, more than £535,000 was awarded to patients last year to help them meet costs such as household fuel bills and travel to and from hospital.

Grants were also awarded for every day items that make life better for those coping with cancer. For example, medication can lead to both weight loss and gain and so grants were awarded for clothes, as well as travel to and from hospital for treatment.

Macmillan’s general manager in Northern Ireland, Heather Monteverde, said: ‘The last thing someone who has been diagnosed with cancer should be worrying about is money. However, we know that poverty is a significant problem for people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland.

‘Our grants can make a real difference to someone with cancer who is struggling financially but they are not a permanent solution. This is why Macmillan is campaigning for financial advice and support to be offered to every cancer patient around the time of diagnosis.’

Often when someone is diagnosed with cancer they become too ill to work and as a result their income falls at a time when their daily living expenses rise.

As cancer patients spend more time at home with the heating on, their fuel bills rise. They also need to meet extra expenses such as travel to and from hospital. Macmillan research has found that money worries come second only to physical pain as a cause of stress for people affected by cancer.

That is why the charity has established a network of financial advice services to help patients, their families and carers maximise their income and ensure they are receiving all the statutory benefits they are entitled to. Macmillan financial advice services are available at Altnagelvin Hospital, Belfast City, Royal Group of Hospitals and the Mater Hospital. These help people access welfare benefits, Macmillan grants and advise on employment rights and returning to work.

In 2009, more than half of Macmillan grants (52 per cent) in Northern Ireland were used to pay household fuel costs. Macmillan is campaigning for Westminster to extend the Winter Fuel Payment to cancer patients under the age of 60 - a move which would go some way to alleviating the stress caused by financial worry.

Heather added: ”We know that cancer patients feel the cold more because of their treatment and so, during the chilliest winter in 30 years, when heating bills have risen massively, life will have been very uncomfortable for many.

‘Awarding the Winter Fuel Payment to cancer patients in need would go some way to giving them peace of mind so they can turn their heating on without worrying about how they will foot the bill.’

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