Wayne comes home to die but ‘struggles’ to get treatment
Thursday 15th September 2011, 1:00PM BST.
Liver disease sufferer Wayne Swales says that getting the medical treatment he needs has been a struggle since his return. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 1177969)
AFTER leaving to escape his chequered past 18 years ago, Wayne Swales has returned to the island to die.
An alcoholic, he was diagnosed four years ago with liver disease.
With between five and 10 years left to live, he needs treatment to stay comfortable but says receiving it here has been a struggle.
A transplant is also out of the equation because, he said, having ‘messed up’ his own, there were more worthy recipients in the world.
Leaving his UK doctor behind three-and-a-half months ago, the 41-year-old said he was now battling with Guernsey’s health services.
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As a Guernsey Tax payer of the last 28 years.. 20 years of which as a homeowner.. during these years, Mr Swales deceided to move away without paying anything to this island and has enjoyed 18 years on the booze,wish I could have been able to afford such a luxury.. why should we taxpayers have to pay for treatment of his self inflicted terminal illness.. May sound harsh but… no Symapthy from me.
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David, to play devils advocate, why should another country/place pay for his upkeep ? Assuming he is a local it is up to Guernsey to pay for people like this that are from Guernsey.
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@David LOL
Its is apparent that you have indeed spent your past 28yrs on the rock by your small minded mentality.You pay tax regardless and before you make a hot headed comment back just take a moment to think ……………..Do you really know Mr Swales enough to comment ? ….I mean would he really say he enjoyed an addiction? ………….Everyone has a story and it is wise never to judge before walking a mile in their shoes ………after all this world is ever changing and lets hope you comments don’t come back to haunt you
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The liver is a powerful organ and has powers to rebuild (though it might well be very slowly in this case. Perhaps a very strict lifesyle is being followed to minimse the the ongoing strain on the liver, one can not rule out self repair even if over a very long time surely. If the liver is not so bad that it still has life in it right now, not like bloated and yellow and right on door step then there may be hope for repairing. The will has got to be there to try though. Basically dump the western diet/lifestyle which is hugely detremental to our wellbeing.
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Escape his chequered past eh ? what would that be then ? A huge gift to a local charity ? I dont think so.. sounds like something illegal..
I do tend to agree with David.
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@justathought
Your post was WELL SAID.
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@David @localguy
It’s attitudes like these that make me glad I no longer live on the isle of my birth. Lets hope none of your friends or loved ones ever suffer from the curse of substance addiction before they have made sufficent social security contributions to foot the bill. Absolutely disgusting attitudes – life is never as simple as you would like to pretend in you blinkered 9×5 view of the world.
I remember seeing Mr Swales around Guernsey when I was growing up, the guy was a mess and obviously has serious problems. I don’t begrudge you him a penny of any taxes I have paid whilst working in Guernsey.
Good luck with finding the treatment you need.
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Situations like this really get to me!!!! How can people even think that they can just come back to island and expect for us tax payers to pay for his treatment!
He has only gone to the press so that he can get people to feel sorry for him and get simpathy!!
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Localguy.
I used to regularly see him years ago sat on the benches in town “sniffing” various substances in full public view.
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….so the vultures gather yet again…as they did around the story of the demise of a Latvian girl….if any of you,kicking Wayne Swales when he is obviously down, had been born as houses, you would certainly have been condemned.
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@Vikkie
Heaven forbid the (tax paying) oh so angelic inhabitants of Guernsey should feel ‘simpathy’ for a terminally ill man. Why not just have these people euthanized so as not to burden OUR health services, unless of course they have paid an adequate amount of taxes, and are therefore deserving of treatment.
I repeat, disgusting attitudes.
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It’s all about choices. We all of us make choices and then we have to accept any possible consequences of our choices. Mr Swales chose to spend 28 years drinking himself stupid. He chose to leave his UK doctor who would have cared for him. He chose to come back to Guernsey where he grew up so he knows the Island attitudes and regulations. So why moan? He made his choices as a free individual and now he must live with the consequences of those choices.
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Vikkie
Could you tell us who should be paying for this man please. ?
Forget what his problem is. Please just answer who should pay.
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Coyote
You have allmost said it. You where perfectly happen for UK tax payers to pay for him, but you just stopped short did’nt you.
Is this the way now. Anyone who does not fit we pass off to the UK.
Nice life eh.
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Its ironic that those that have left the island, dont mind the tax pot being used for someone who chose not to contribute to society in any way shape or form! Easy to be sympathetic when its not your cash!
I require life saving medication every day for the rest of my life(only in 20′s now) as well as regular check ups, my illness was beyond my control, and I have a full contribution history, but i dont get any help with prescriptions or GP appts, why should Mr Swales?
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Either you have free health care for all at the tax payers expense, or nobody gets free health care and have to pay for it themselves. I don’t see how you can pick and choose which individuals are or aren’t deserving of it.
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And for all the “he made his choices” brigade, I sincerely hope you don’t smoke or eat junk food or drive too fast in your car, as by your logic if you get ill as a result or have a crash you deserve no help.
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I agree with David and his ilk. Nobody should have to pay for other people’s mistakes. We should also stop treating smokers, overweight people and underweight people for cancer, heart disease, impotence, strokes and diabetes. Those selfish people have made their life choices. And like all human beings, they are completely rational about all things, all the time, and deserve no sympathy for their susceptibility to mistakes. I mean, it’s absolutely clear that alcoholics, smokers, drug addicts and those with weight problems want the expense, social stigma and ultimately the morbidity that arise from their lifestyle choices.
In fact while we’re at it, if any watersports enthusiasts get stuck out at sea then I don’t see why the honourable taxpayer should have to fund the emergency services who rescue them. They shouldn’t have been so selfish as to engage in a reckless activity. Parents should pay for all their own maternity care as well, having children and expecting social support is out of line.
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He moved to the UK but wasn’t born there. Did he pay any tax in England? You could equally argue why should England have had to pay for his care over the last 18 years when he was born and spent most of his life (just) in Guernsey.
It always seems to me that Guernsey people are having to take from the English tax payer but have a hissy fit when its the other way round.
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@Keith
That’s what I was trying to get at – you made the point much better.
We are supposed to live in a society in which we care for those who require care, regardless of who they are or what they have done. Some might say this is a large part of what it means to be ‘civilised’. Some of the views expressed on this site regarding who is and who is not deserving of care sicken me. It’s particularly sad when we were all lucky enough to be born somewhere as affluent and peaceful as Guernsey.
There are a lot of people commenting on this site who could benefit greatly from studying the lyrics Jello Biafra. It would probably go straight over your tax paying heads, but it’s worth a shot.
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Danlobster
the point is that Mr Swales made his choices to drink to excess to the point where he is now seriously ill. This is on a quite different level from people who live normal hardworking lives and become ill through eating, drinking or smoking on a moderate scale. Actaully I’m with you on smoking. Right thinking people don’t smoke cos it is not only nasty for you and to those around you but you might just as well set fire to your hard earned cash. Eating is a necessity of life unfortunately and so stupid to include it unless referring to over indulgence on junk food, chocolate, etc. Drinking is another matter. You can live just by drinking water. Most of us like a tipple but we keep it moderate. Mr Swales chose to drink to excess for twenty eight years and so my sympathy for him is very low. My father drank to excess for twenty years and eventually managed to kill himself. Difference being that he did work and he didn’t moan about his state. He knew it was his choice and his consequences.
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For all those who are complaining about there taxes where do you think they will go anyway?………………………………….
You do and will continue to pay Tax and whether that tax goes to help a fellow human being who clearly has reached out for help by even sharing this information or to sit in the bank account of the states or even the pocket of the fat cats the fact is you will still pay tax.
So take a moment to think ……………..
You make choices based on the information you have on any given situation at any given moment, as i mentioned previously would this guy have chosen a different path had he thought it possible at the time ?
It was warming to see that an increased number of people have commented on the fact that it seams to have become a bitter island and a place that see’s many want to kick whoever is down
Ask yourself what you are really bitter about saving a dying man ……or paying tax
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@coyote So please do clarify your position. Presumably pregnant women should be left to fend for themselves, and not receive medical attention, if they have paid insufficient taxes. Obese people as well. They have let themselves get to that stage, so when they suffer heart attacks, let them die? It’s unfair the taxpayer should suffer for their mistake right? And in this case, a dying man should stay away from his place of birth and not burden each of us with a few quid, because of mistakes he made?
@DanLobster I made it with extra sarcasm and a side helping of sarcasm, ha!
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So what then should happen to this poor guy ? will you “worthy ones” be happy to watch him suffer his demise without holding out a hand of compassion ?, was it only a few days ago people were really angry about the nazi flag being flown aboard a boat ? it sounds to me some of the people who have left comments on here (The worthy) are no better than the nazis themselves.
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I seem to remember Wayne living on the Bronx (Bouet) in 99 , still why should the U.K. taxpayer keep one of ours?
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I’d sooner my taxes went towards making mr Swales comfortable than flying Trottski round trying to justify Guernseys money laundering to the rest of the world.
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We must always make care available for the sick, the poor, the criminal and the legitimate visitor, without this most basic help, society would break down and life would be unpleasant for everybody.
I do see why people are questioning victims of self inflicted problems though.
From that aspect, I would say that as a population, we have a lot of influence on how we shape our young people and so if for instance we encourage drugs, gambling, children having more power than their teachers, abusers having more rights than their victims, casual relationships etc then we have to take at least part of the blame ourselves.
As an example, todays youngsters would look to Jade Goody or Amy Winehouse as their role models, every paper/magazine was filled with their success, the television constantly taught how these were people at the top of their game, can we really be surprised if todays young people end up with similar problems. Just as every middle aged smoker can remember the cool actor, the tough one, the hero, with a cigarette in his mouth, so many of that generation signed up to that look.
Yes, this man has led a very ill advised life and as he has stated, he is paying for it now. He is one of many and I don’t mean 10 or 20, there are large amounts of people with huge problems and many more will follow in the next generation.
Have we the will to turn things around, will we vote for those that stand up for principals that will build society up. Will we as individuals, do what we can, starting with our own wife and children, to stop the crumbling family values and children craving self worth. Will we help the poor, the sick, the unloveable, not only with our taxes but with our own time and resources?
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Would all you people who are willing to see tax payers money being spent to pay for this man`s treatment for the next ten years be willing to pay for that treatment out of your own pocket AS WELL AS paying your taxes? If you`re such wonderfully charitable people why not start a fund for him?
Wayne Swales left the island aged 23years, by his own admission because of his “chequered past”. Could this have been trouble with the police for drunk and disorderly and being a pain in the a*** for the people of Guernsey?
He now finds himself in a sorry state because of abuse and expects the people he disrespected to pay for his well being?
If he`s lived in England for 18 years he is entitled to his treatment free on the NHS so as far as I`m concerned he can go back and get treated there or has he abused their system as well?
I wonder what he`s been doing over the last 18 years. Has he been working, paying taxes and state insurance and living a “clean” life whilst in England?
If he wants to die here then he can come back just before his demise. I`m sure his NHS doctor will give him enough drugs then to cover that period. Oh and don`t forget to save enough to cover your funeral expenses.
Sorry Wayne Swales, no sympathy here. Good try.
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Danlobster, September 16, 2011 at 1:24 pm
“And for all the “he made his choices” brigade, I sincerely hope you don’t smoke or eat junk food or drive too fast in your car, as by your logic if you get ill as a result or have a crash you deserve no help.”
Dan, As part of “the he made his choices brigade” I can tell you that, personally, the things you have listed are all covered by insurances I have taken out as a responsible person who expects to rely on no one in my later years to my death, whatever the cause, and my funeral expenses are already covered.
“Get the strength of the Insurance companies around you” I believe the old adverts used to say. Good advice.
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Even if this chap has never paid income tax, he must stll have paid tax every time he has bought alcohol over the years. Same argument goes for smoking, much more is collected in tax than is spent on smoking related diseases. If governments encourage and profit from unhealthy activities rather than make them illegal they must expect to spend part of their tax-take on casualties. If he has a right to live in Guernsey and get free medical help I guess Guernsey taxpayers will just have to shoulder the cost.
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Like a lot of people i really hate to hear of the state this our Island has got itself into, however as already mentioned all stories have 2 sides, all we have heard from this chap are the recent events, who knows what has happened to him in the past, was he beaten at home bullied at school was he driven to drink by forces outside his control where the only solice he got was by dilluting his senses with alcohol till life became bearable, would be a sad day if that was the case and all we as a community can say is sod off back to the UK for treatment, perhaps it was the island that failed him by not having the right care and social help available to him when he needed it, who knows tbh the island wastes far more money than this chaps care every day on bungled decisions and p*** poor management, nuff said really.
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Beanjar,
He hasn`t been paying insurance or taxes for 18 years and has not contributed to the island in any way so why should he be entitled to FREE medical expenses? I`ve worked for 47 years and I`m not entitled to that even having paid my dues for all those years. He`s a sponger who couldn`t control himself, no matter the reason, and deserves nothing including sympathy.
true guern RIP,
Don`t start blaming the system for this man`s failure to control himself. He chose his way of life and to leave the island for what he thought would be an easier life. Well, his life style has knocked him back to reality and he seems to think we owe him something.
If he wanted to come back he should have made sure he had the resources to do so as any other sober person has to.
His ACTUAL cirumstances have probably been assessed by the HSS and he obviously doesn`t meet any of the criteria to recieve any medical benefits as laid down in the law.
It`s a tough life out there but he should have thought of that before he chose his way of living. He was an adult when he left and now he`s realising that he should have had more control of his ways.
We owe him NOTHING AT ALL.
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Vikkie I agree with you. But it’s a hard one really. I do not wish ill health on Wayne and yes he did say he has not helped himself in the past with drink. But why come back to Guernsey a what free health care it’s not fair on others who live here and have worked hard. Wayne comes back after years and expects free help. Not good.
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OK Keith you asked for clarification. Here goes.
I don’t know which educational establishment you went to on the Island. Pregnancy is not an illness and it takes two, not just women. It is the normal biological function of reproduction. Most pregnant women are left to their own resources. They buy vitamin supplements and try to rest and maybe go to childbirth preparation classes. Medical intervention, if needed, is usually reserved for the birth and by then there is a third person involved. The baby.
This is quite different from someone who deliberately eats or drinks too much, knowing full well the consequences, makes themselves ill, and then bleats for medical assistance. In the UK such people are a drain on medical resources. On Guernsey there is a question of individuals paying as well. At the end of it all they often as not go straight back to their former bad habits as well which, of course, are never their fault. Yawn!!
What of the baby, the product of pregnancy? That may well grow up to become a doctor which would be an investment; or it may grow up to be yet another waster. But how do you tell? At least a new baby is an outcome with possible potential which is more than can be said for a drunk.
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@Keith
I have so so so many questions to ask you however, for the time being i’ll just ask one.
What planet are you from?
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PB Falla…..has the exodus been cancelled?
Surprised the “shambles” has not posted on this thread!
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Maybe the England should send Guernsey the bill for his 18 years of care.
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Well long live the good spirit of Guernsey! Not sure I’m feeling that proud at the moment.
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If this chap was born here I guess we will have to pick up the tab. By the same token I really resent benefits etc. going to people who are not local and have not made significant contributions. We can’t expect to have it both ways though.
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i know wayne personally, he is a great mate, yes an alcoholic which is an illness may i point out. some people suffer breakdowns, some people get hold of drugs, try them and then get hooked, just as a smoker gets hooked on nicotine. wayne tried numerous times to give up drinking , and each time it got to a point where he lost his fight against it. if you pop up to the catel hospital your see lots of people trying to get off it for the 4th 5th time, yes he did abuse gas an glue but back in 1991 -1994, not since. on a friday he meets me for coffee with 2 of my children an a ,mate with hers. please leave wayne alone, dont give him dirty looks as ppl are doing or saying remarks behind his back, its disgusting
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Jules – there are plenty of good people in Guernsey who help – so don’t tar everyone alike I don’t want to “pay” for this guy particularly, but my moral compass is set to “compassionate” at the moment – and if he needs help, then we should give it, regardless of how much tax he has or has not paid.
What I really cannot get to grips with is the fact that we are happy to pay for local loiterers who will never work, ever – just so long as we keep paying them not to, that is! I really resent the young girl I spoke to recently who was “too tired” to get a job; she has three kids from 3 different sperm donors, she is 21, has no intention of working and has just been awarded a three bedroomed house in St Martins. Pathetic. Why do we put up with this?
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@coyote
The vast majority of pregnancies are going to be accompanied by various trips to medical facilities for checkups, and especially the birth (or with a visit from midwives if at home, or whatever) – but claiming pregnancy requires less medical attention per individual than alcoholism (I have no idea, I would guess it does) is not an argument for society funding one and not the other, unless it really came down to a choice between those two, in which case I would suggest there are deeper and more fundamental problems in supplying resources. Whether ‘most’ women cover their own costs is also irrelevant, we are comparing people who cannot afford to. Maybe ‘most’ alcoholics pay for their own treatment as well – actually since there is a hefty tax on alcohol, I would suggest they do. You make a fair point about the baby being a factor, so I’ll concede that, but I think you’ll find that most people know full well the consequences of sex, and when pregnancy results, they bleat for medical assistance (I don’t know the consequences though, as you’ve astutely deduced, my educational establishment was derived from the content on the back of various cereal boxes). Do you condemn those people?
Your attitude seems to be that whether someone is deserving of medical help is dependent on the stigma we attach to their health habits/lifestyles. Drunks are a waste of space so they should die if they can’t afford medical treatment they need? You haven’t elucidated thus far but I assume the same goes for obese people and smokers (who smokes in moderation?) I have at no point said that the drinking was not his fault, I am saying that anything we do for what we perceive as pleasure is selfish on some level. I’m pretty sure alcoholics don’t really derive pleasure from it, but there is no moral difference between a society’s refusal to treat a drunk for the results of alcoholism than to refuse to treat sporting injuries and car crash victims, save that society sneers upon alcoholics, and tends to be postive or neutral about the other two, even though they are risky activities done for selfish reasons.
@damo
It’s a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. You’d like it there, they make stupid, pointless comments implicitly criticising people who argue points instead of engaging with the arguments themselves as well. Because your contribution is worthwhile, oh yes, but actually writing anything of value is just SO time consuming.
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Sarnia expat believe me I know there are many very caring and generous people in Guernsey.My family run a charity and we are always stunned by the depth of generosity. However some of the comments on this forum sink to another level.
On your second paragraph I couldn’t agree more. But that is a totally different topic
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rebecca,
I wouldn`t mind betting that you and your mate and your children are in “the benefit brigade” and live in subsidised housing.
Tell me, is Wayne working now and paying his way in life? Is he living on benefits or “The Parish” and what accommodation is he in?
It`s amazing how once in trouble a person can become docile, apologetic, reforming and “a very nice person”, but will he ever change or is this all a scam to get the sympathy and help he couldn`t muster in England and who`s to say he won`t revert to his old ways before he succumbs to the consequences of his lifestyle of the past?
Some proof of his change of heart, a job for instance even if it`s shelf stacking or kitchen porter, would be a start for people to believe he is a reformed character. Does he even bother to look at the job vacancies at the HSS?
Give us, the taxpayers, a sign that he`s trying to help himself and we, the taxpayers, may think he`s worth the money being asked for for his treatment. Even a voluntary job for a charity would show he is trying.
I need to be convinced as I`m sure do a lot of others.
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Keith
It’s obvious that you have never been pregnant! It is not always a matter of choice but
reproduction is a natural function whereas alcoholism, smoking and obesity are not.
I think smoking is a complete waste of time and money and no, I don’t smoke. I do eat and I do drink, within moderation so I’m not costing the Health Services a bomb requiring loads of treatment because I refuse to curb my excesses.
My father was an alcoholic. It was his chosen method of committing suicide he said. The worst thing about alcoholism actually is not the cost to the Health Services but the effect that it has on their nearest and dearest. The alcoholic doesn’t care about this at all. As long as he or she is happy and drunk that is all that matters. So, coupled with the extra strain on medical resources, they are a rather selfish breed. Same as those who smoke [and this does directly affect other people's health as well] and those who eat to gross excess and become obese. It is an additional obscenity that people stuff themselves when children the world over are dying of malnutrition.
Hope this clarifies my position for you. Sorry but alcoholics, smokers and obese eaters get little sympathy from me. Having a child is in a completely different category and I am amazed that you can’t see this.
Finally on the matter of choices. I choose to donate blood. No one ever knows, even you, when one might be grateful for the people who have done this. Life can suddenly seem very precious when it is about to be snatched away [as in pregnancy!] I have no choice who receives that blood but it saddens me to think that alcoholics, smokers and obese individuals may have the benefit of it rather than those in desperate need through no fault of their own. At least I can give it and I do so. Drunks, heavy smokers and gross over-eaters can’t. It’s like everyhting else with them. It’s take, take, take, and they don’t give a damn for anyone or anything else.
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Wayne is my cousin, and I feel for him and the bad choices he has made.
However, he chose to go home, knowing that the health service would be an issue.
I need a heart transplant, and after spending 23 years away from Guernsey, here in the United States, will have my treatments covered by the social security system here.
I would love to come home to Guernsey to finish out my days, but know I wouldn’t be able to afford my health care.
So Wayne, I wish you well cousin, but you made your choices, you should have stayed in England.
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there was the same debate about expats returning to die back in June in the feature about me although my illness is not self inflicted. For some reason the moderator won’t let me post the link even though it’s on this site.
put my name rex towers in the site search box and you’ll get it
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Rex -
The link to that story is http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2011/06/27/after-30-years-paying-his-dues-rex-cannot-come-home-to-die/
If you tried to post this on Sunday I’m afraid we had a technical fault which would have prevented it.
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Keith Poulloin
Can I just say good luck to you and I hope all goes well for you.
I understand Wayne has made his own choices in life like we all have too do I don’t wish him harm or would not stare at him if I saw him out I wish him well……
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What ever happens to us in life, we all come from somewhere to start and make our way in life. I can’t imagine one person has led a pure, fulfilling and virtuous life. Even Jesus was guilty of resentment if you choose to believe the bible.
I have experienced the damage addiction does to a person it tears you apart, your family, your friends and associates and leaves the person suffering virtually alone and on a precipice. It is an illness as real and as terminal as the resultant physical trauma it causes.
Wherever Wayne has been, whatever he has done he is facing his life he is being brave and acknowledging his fate. He was born here and has come home. Sadly to die and that is a tragedy. Not one of us has the right to judge him.
Who knows where our lives will lead or where they will end. We can all choose to do what we perceive to be the right thing for us, but equally another might think that is wrong.
I am not religious and I don’t advocate banging on about the bible and christian faith, but I think we can lead by example and learn from the bible.
My two favourite parts. ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ and ‘The good samaritan did not question, but crossed the road and helped his fellow man.’
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Peeps of guernsey showing their true colours again
RIP The Old guernsey
Another guernsey SHAMBLES
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@ Keith
I wasn’t making a point about you not putting forward suggestions. Simply, that there were so many irrelevant and even more worryingly sociopathic comments. Add that to the demeanour in which you were dishing them out i find it hard for someone to expect their stance to be credible.
I do hope it’s not a large soapbox you are on, as when you fall off it i don’t want to contribute to your healthcare via my contributions.
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@coyote
I sympathise with your father, and giving blood is certainly a noble thing to do, but you seem disinclined to acknowledge that whether someone deserves medical care is in your eyes determined by whether you approve of their lifestyle or not, even if the lifestyle choices are of comparable risk and examples of self-fulfilment, eg. dangerous sports. We are not saints and we all take risks to our health that are considered normal activities, for society to deny someone healthcare because the risks that they took are widely stigmatised is not ethically consistent if we allow treatment for people in car accidents.
@damo
Did you think that most of those comments about denying treatment were not sarcastic? I was highlighting that selfish indulgences come in many forms, and just because alcoholism is stigmatised, it is no more reasonable to deny healthcare to an alcoholic than to deny it to someone who engages in other risky behaviour like driving a car or swimming in the sea. I was being a sarcastic git, but sociopathic? That would be the opposite of what I was arguing. I think people SHOULD be treated regardless of how others stigmatise their actions.
As for the box, it’s pretty poorly constructed to be honest. Don’t worry though, I have health insurance.
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@ Keith
I apologise. I took your first post in the wrong context !
I should have read as opposed to ‘scanned’ and realised your response was playing devils advocate for coyote
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actually no, i own my own home,, at the age of 35 im dam well pleased that i do too, yes im a single mum, no i am not on benefits either. is that ok with you, or should i pack my job in, sell my home to get a states house then ask for hand outs? well since thats the way of the other girls on the island i may as well
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@damo
No worries, I’m pretty sure I could have been clearer.
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In the absence of clarity in the report I am given to believe that Wayne is not an ex Elizabeth College student
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