Quarter of terminally ill end up dying in poverty

ALMOST a quarter of people who die in Newcastle end their lives in poverty. City leaders have been urged to do more to prevent terminally ill people and their families from being pushed into a financial crisis by reduced incomes and mounting bills.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

According to a report from Marie Curie, 20% of pensioners and 40% of working-age people who are dying in Newcastle spend their final year in poverty. That means, overall, that 23% of people who die have been living below the poverty line. The charity has also estimated that 590 dying people in Newcastle miss out on palliative care that they need every year.

Audrey Buckham was forced to declare herself bankrupt when caring for her terminally ill husband, Eddie, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October of 2020. She previously worked full time for the NHS, but had to reduce her hours and later cut them altogether to care for Eddie.