Kate Garraway’s new documentary about late husband Derek Draper saw the journalist state “it’s not enough” as she explained her financial situation while caring for Draper.
The ITV presenter aired one final episode in her documentary series about caring for her husband after he became one of the worst-affected Covid patients in the UK.
Draper was placed in a coma and kept in hospital for over a year when he caught the virus at the start of the pandemic.
The illness ravaged his organs and left him needing round-the-clock care, with Garraway revamping their home to accommodate his needs.
Draper, 56, died in early January this year after his nearly four-year health battle, but Garraway decided to air the last chapter of her journey with him to lend a voice to other carers and people in similar positions.
The 56-year-old talked in one part of the programme about the financial aspect of her situation, explaining: “His care costs more than my salary from ITV.
The documentary showed Derek's final few months
ITV
“We are at a crunch point. I am in debt - I can’t earn enough to cover my debt because we are managing Derek’s care.”
Garraway continued: “I can’t even use the money I do have to support Derek’s recovery because it’s going on the basics all the time.”
Reflecting on her income, she stated: “I’m not going to pretend that I am poorly paid. I have a job that I love that is well-paid… But it is not enough.”
She went on to state Draper was deemed “not sick enough to qualify for funded care.”
Draper was one of the worst-affect Covid patients in the UK
ITV
The Good Morning Britain star added: “Derek’s basic care is nearly £4,000 a week.
“How can I afford that? How can anybody afford that? Please God, there could be another 40 years of this.”
Draper suffered a huge heart attack in December last year and died in January, ending his almost four-year-long recovery battle.
The documentary admission comes soon after Garraway claimed she faces debts of up to £800,000 for the care carried out for her late husband.
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Derek died in January this year after a nearly four-year Covid recovery battle
ITV
According to an interview with the Times, Garraway was given as little as four hours' notice in one instance that Draper's care was to be terminated.
She took aim at the system while speaking with the publication, saying: “It’s supposed to be a system that’s meant to catch you if you fall, but actually, it feels like it’s trying to catch you out.
“You feel like you’re in the dock answering questions about things that will literally mean life or death to someone you love.
“Derek’s needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care — so you think, 'If he isn’t getting it, then who is?'”
