News of the death of an elderly woman after she developed hypothermia - having told medics she couldn't afford her heating - has shocked Greater Manchester, laying bare, once again, the grim reality of the cost of living crisis.
Barbara Bolton, 87, from Bury, was admitted to Fairfield Hospital on December 11 last year with the condition, as well as a chest infection.
Hospital notes, the Manchester Evening News understands, indicate her illness was linked to the fact she could not afford to put her heating on.
READ MORE: Woman who died after developing hypothermia 'couldn't afford to heat her home', inquest hears
An inquest was opened at Rochdale Coroners' Court last week. While it is important not to pre-empt the conclusions of the coroner overseeing the proceedings, the early details to emerge surrounding Ms Bolton's death have caused deep concern.
One doctor says we're in the midst of a 'scandal', with scores of elderly and vulnerable people sitting in freezing cold homes, too afraid to flick a switch because of eye-watering energy prices.
Age charities have again warned of the tragic consequences of the cost of living crisis, while paramedics have spoken of heartbreaking scenes of elderly people using gas heaters to heat just one room as they're unable to heat their entire homes.
Ms Bolton's death may have shocked people, but professionals feared such a tragic story was inevitable - and fear it will be repeated.
'The tip of the iceberg... you hear these worries on a daily basis'
Ms Bolton's tragic death has prompted an outcry from doctors, paramedics, charity experts and a Greater Manchester MP. They all say they sadly expect people to die because of a lack of heating.
"It's shambolic from a morality point of view - a scandal," Dr Zahid Chauhan, a GP based in Moorgate Primary Care Centre in Bury, told the Manchester Evening News.
"We're in one of the richest countries in the world and people are [developing] hypothermia because they're too afraid to put their heating on or can't afford it.
"You hear these worries on a daily basis from patients who talk about struggling to warm their homes. Pensioners or people on a low wage or those with chronic conditions will feel this even more.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg. This is just the first case we've discovered, how many other cases are there that we don't know about?"
Andrew Hazeldine, chief officer for Age UK Bury, said the charity is 'gutted' about Ms Bolton's death.
"We’re hearing lots of stories of people who are having to choose between heating or food or paying for energy or paying for care," he said.
"People are having to make cutbacks that are detrimental to their health. If you're not having sufficient food, you're at risk of malnutrition. If you're not keeping warm, you're at risk of hypothermia.
"This is also having a knock-on effect on the NHS as people are going into hospital with things that are preventable."
'Old people are using gas heaters for one room and don't leave'
An average of 9,700 deaths each year are believed to be caused by living in a cold house, according to research by National Energy Action and the environmental group E3G.
Paramedics are all too familiar with tragic, desperate scenes.
"I've been in many houses where old people are reverting to using gas heaters to heat one room and staying in it as they can't afford to heat the whole house," one frontline ambulance worker told the M.E.N.
With the NHS in crisis, some patients, it is claimed, have been forced to wait outside completely hospitals for hours. For elderly and vulnerable people with hypothermia, waits like these can prove devastating.
A north west A&E doctor said they had seen a few cases that were 'probably made worse for the delay in ambulances arriving'.
Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and requires immediate medical intervention.
'There's a stigma'
"People aren't coming forward, not everyone is brave enough to come forward and say 'I’m suffering because I'm cold," Dr Chauhan added.
"These are people - who generally have lived a normal life - have not been dependent on any services or anyone, and therefore don't come forward.
"There's so much stigma around saying 'I can’t heat warm my home' or 'I can’t pay my bills'. This is becoming a story of every household and will cause deaths, which we've now seen.
"People also actually don't recognise that they are dying from hypothermia because they might have another condition that's being exacerbated by the cold, so they think that's the problem.
"If that’s happening and the focus is on the underlying condition, it's likely the hypothermia might go undiscovered and untreated.
"If GPs don't have the information about the fact that someone is living in a seriously cold home, it can be very difficult to get to the bottom of why they're not well, especially if they have another chronic condition which could be masking it.
"Not only is this causing harm to patients, but it's putting significant pressure on the system. Our A&Es and GP surgeries are full, these are the underlying reasons why. Cold temperatures make conditions worse and worse."
Greater Manchester bosses and age charities have issued advice to help people struggling with energy prices in the winter months.
They suggest using slow cookers instead of hobs as they cost less to run - and urge people get the pneumonia vaccination.
"Being cold isn't just uncomfortable - it can be very bad for your health," Independent Age's 68-page 'Winterwise' guide reads.
"Low temperatures increase the risk of flu, as well as a heart attack, a stroke or hypothermia. Heat your home to at least 18C during the day and night. Turn up your thermostat if you feel cold."
Mayor Andy Burnham’s office warns: "Many people are struggling with their energy bills or getting into energy debt. It's important that you contact your supplier, though this may seem like [something] you don't want to do, they can offer a wide variety of support."
The fear is that this guidance isn't enough for those 'too proud' to seek help, who find the cheapest option is to leave the heating off.
'We've got three months to get through'
"There is a rise in the state pension and pension credits, but that isn’t until April. We've got three months to get through before there's any change in people's finances," Mr Hazeldine from Age UK adds.
There is understood to be as many as 36,000 people in Greater Manchester who are not receiving pension credits, which top up their income. They are often the gateway to other benefits.
"The people who are entitled to pension credits are the most at-risk anyway because the pension they have isn’t at state pension level, these credits top that up so they are on par with state pension," Mr Hazeldine said.
Dr Chauhan has called on the government 'to save lives and come up with a universal approach so elderly people can keep their homes warm'.
The difference between energy bills now and before the cost of living crisis could be covered for at-risk groups, he suggested.
"We have a moral responsibility - are we going to carry on sitting and watching or are we going to ask for something better?," the GP added.
Bury North MP James Daly, whose constituency Barbara Bolton lived in, was contacted for comment.
Bury South MP Christian Wakeford told the M.E.N "This is a tragedy I am struggling to comprehend. A woman like Barbara who has worked and paid her dues all of her adult life has been too scared to put the heating on at the height of winter due to the cost of living and sadly died.
"This is the reality for many people in Bury and across the UK and in 2023 it is deeply unacceptable. I would encourage all local communities to check on your neighbours, particularly those who may be vulnerable. Please do reach out to your local authority if you do require help as there is help out there.
"My thoughts remain with Barbara's family and friends at this tragic time. People cannot continue to live in fear of being warm and safe like this."
The M.E.N. put these concerns to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. A government spokesperson said: "We know this is a difficult time for families across the country.
"That is why we acted quickly to deliver the Energy Price Guarantee, which is saving a typical household £900 this winter. Our Energy Bills Support Scheme is providing a further £400 off energy bills, in addition to the most vulnerable households receiving up to £1,200.
"We are working with consumer groups and industry to assess the best long-term approach to helping vulnerable households from April next year."
'This will happen time and again'
Mr Wakeford said he has been warning about an impending tragedy since September, when he spoke to a charity worker who told of a woman who was considering suicide as she felt she had run out of options and was unable to afford her bills.
"I still believe things are going to get worse, and it only adds to existing pressures," said Dr Chauhan.
"People can’t get help because of where the NHS is at, then they're made worse by environmental factors like energy costs and people are stuck in a vicious cycle - it's a double whammy."
"We're encouraging people to get a benefits check to make sure they're claiming all they are entitled to. There's a big issue that people are too proud to claim or check what they are allowed to have - we're trying to nail that to the wall," adds Bury’s Age UK chief officer.
"People don't want to be seen as scroungers but this is money they have paid all their life into the system. Now they need it, they should be getting it back.
"We've got really proud folks who have never claimed a penny in their lives - they are the most vulnerable now. This will happen time and again."
If you need advice on anything from health to housing, call the Age UK advice line open 365 days a year 8am to 7pm on 0800 678 1602. Support for each borough is available through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, found here.
You can get a free guide on how to claim pension credits, a confidential benefits check and more help with keeping warm and keeping up with bills through Independent Age's helpline 0800 319 6789.
Age UK tips:
- Wrap up when you go outside in the cold; use multiple layers and keep hands, feet and face warm and covered with scarves, gloves and thick socks.
- Eat well – make sure you eat at least one hot meal every day, hot drinks throughout the day to keep up energy levels.
- Keep warm to stay well – your living room temperature to 21 degrees and your bedroom temperature to 18 degrees and take particular care if you going from a warm environment into the cold.
- Keep moving – try not to sit still for more than one hour at a time even if you just move your arms and legs. If you can stay active. Not only will it keep you fit and healthy, it will also generate heat to keep you warmer.
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT:
