Home dialysis patient fears energy costs

It’s claimed a Moray man on home dialysis is being “financially penalised” for being ill, with no way for him to claim back the soaring costs of electricity needed to stay alive.

Retired nurse George Cook has been using the treatment at home in Aberlour for a year.

The 63-year-old needs to use the equipment three times a week, for four hours each time, after suffering complete renal failure.

Water purification tech it requires has to be running 24 hours a day.

It’s thought these patients are paying up to £1,400 in extra electricity charges each year – before the latest hikes.

Charity Kidney Care UK says kidney failure often leaves people “extremely cold” due to anaemia, forcing them to keep their heating on. Last year it issued grants of around £550,000 to patients.

Policy director Fiona Loud said: “We need others to step up and stop people like George feeling like they are being priced out of existence.”

Mr Cook said: “Given the rate of inflation and the fact I’m on state pension, my disposable income is shrinking away.

“And the way things are going, this is going to escalate further. I’m not the only home dialysis patient in Grampian and I worry for the others.”

He added: “I should not be financially penalised for being sick.”

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead pledged to help, adding: “I will be looking into what support is available for those affected.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said it is allocating a further £10million to its Fuel Insecurity Fund and asking the UK Government to temporarily cut VAT on energy bills.

HOME CARE: George Cook has to have home dialysis three times a week.

Mr Cook has suffered complete renal failure.