Help Needed With Fuel Costs For Cancer Patients

Macmillan Cancer Support has called on the Government to extend winter fuel payments to all cancer patients in the UK. This latest call comes after the charity conducted research which showed that those living with cancer were twice as likely to be suffering from fuel debt.

A person is considered to be in fuel poverty if they need to spend more than 10% of their income on heating and lighting within their home and Macmillan found that 19% of those who had received treatment for cancer were living on the breadline. In Northern Ireland, unlike other parts of the UK,  and electricity companies do not offer any reduced tariffs for cancer patients, making the situation here even more bleak for those living with the illness.

Macmillan stressed the need for the Executive to ensure that all those living with cancer are aware of the support measures and assistance available to them. Heather Monteverde, the general manager of Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland, said it was "unacceptable that those who found themselves in the already difficult situation of dealing with a cancer diagnosis also has to worry about their fuel bills."

She highlighted that the Executive had pledged to eradicate fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010, adding that, if this was to be achieved action needed to be taken now. "Cancer patients tell us they feel the cold more because of their condition. Their bills also rise because they are spending more time at home. Often all this comes at a time when patients are unable to work because they are unwell and so their income plummets." She added, "Cancer patients under 60 do not automatically qualify for help. This is why we are calling for Westminster to offer cancer patients in need the winter fuel payment."

Citizens Advice currently operates in partnership service with Macmillan Cancer Support, offering outreach services and advice to patients in the Royal Victoria , The City and The Mater Hospitals in Belfast.