‘Derek’s needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care’
Kate Garraway has said she is in hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt due to the cost of her late husband Derek Draper’s care.
Draper passed away in December last year following a lengthy battle with serious health issues as a result of long Covid.
After he contracted the virus in March 2020, he spent 100 days in a coma and required round the clock care until his passing.
Garraway and Draper married in 2005, and the Good Morning Britain presenter has now spoken about the huge financial cost of looking after a loved one.
Speaking to the Times, she criticised the lack of funding made available to help with Draper’s care.
She told the publication: “It’s supposed to be a system that’s meant to catch you if you fall, but it feels like it’s trying to catch you out.
“You feel like you’re answering questions about things that will literally mean life or death to someone you love.”
She added: “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?'”
According to the Times, Garraway estimated she was in £500,000 to £800,000 of debt due to the costs of Draper’s care.
This week, Garraway’s new documentary about her husband’s life will air on ITV.
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story was shot in the final year of Draper’s life, and will be shown on ITV and ITVX on Tuesday, March 26.
Speaking about the programme on Good Morning Britain with her co-host Ed Balls, Garraway said it had been emotional to make knowing that her husband wasn’t with her anymore.
She said: “It’s been pretty emotional, actually.
“It makes me want to jump in the screen and give him a hug.
“You can’t quite believe that he’s not with us to watch his story, but hopefully it will be very useful for others that are going through the same thing. That’s the dream and the wish.”
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Tuesday, March 26 at 9pm.
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