SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon has written to
Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust to ask them to make sure that
terminally ill cancer patients do not miss out on the non-means tested
benefits that are currently going unclaimed.
Mr Bacon acted as the Commons public accounts committee, of which Mr Bacon is a member, published their report on the patient's experience of cancer treatment.
The report finds that three-quarters of cancer patients are not told that the terminally ill are eligible for financial help that is not means tested. This means terminally ill sufferers with six months or less to live are currently missing out on an estimated £200 million in benefits per year.
Mr Bacon said: “Whilst I know that not everyone will want to claim this money, it is important that cancer patients know that it is available. It could potentially make a very real difference to sufferers and help make their last days more comfortable.
“Cancer does not respect age, fitness or wealth. Those who are terminally ill must not miss out on this chance to alleviate financial hardship because they don't know it exists. I have urged the PCT to make sure that all cancer patients in their area know about these benefits and how they can claim them should they wish to”.
12 January 2006
See also:
PAC REPORT:Tackling Cancer: Improving the patient journey
PARLIAMENT: MP calls for an update on local cancer care
PARLIAMENT: Cancer patients waiting too long, says MP
PARLIAMENT: MP debates Norfolk health cash crisis
SPEECHES: Financing health services in Norfolk
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