Welcome to Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group. Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group (GMAVSG) is a registered charity ( Reg. Charity No. 1113201) established by asbestos victims to provide advice, information and support for people with asbestos-related diseases.. (link to About GMAVSG)

 

Cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End in aid of Mesothelioma Research

Starting on the 9th July, Carl Ross who lost his father to mesotheolioma is cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise money for the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund. Carl's mother, Lauren, is a member of the Greater Manchester Mesotheolioma Action Group and is delighted that her son is taking on this challenging ride for mesothelioma research.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Carl, who has never cycled long-distance before is facing a challenging ride. To support his courageous ride for mesothelioma research please go to Carl's web page: http://www.justgiving.com/carlross

 

Government U-turn on employers' liability insurance hits asbestos victims

The government has laid an order before Parliament to revoke the requirement, introduced 9 years ago, to require employers to retain employers' liability insurance (EL Insurance) policies for for 40 years. The 40-year rule was introduced because hundreds of asbestos victims each year do not get compensation because they cannot trace the inurers of employers who have ceased trading. It is imperative that government establishes a central electronic database for the compulsory recording of all employers' liability insurance policies before the repeal of regulation 4(4) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1998.

PLEASE ASK YOUR MP TO SIGN THE Early Day Motion (EDM) 2010 calling on the Government to etablish a database. The EDM can be found on the link below.

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=36343&SESSION=891

Press release available here

Press briefing available here

 

PLEASE ASK YOUR MP TO SIGN THE Early Day Motion (EDM) 2010 calling on the Government to annul the order to revoke retention of EL insurance records.

The EDM can be found on the link below.

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=36349&SESSION=891

 

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/mesovictims

 

Insurers use "Trigger" Issue to avoid compensation payments

 Insurers are claiming that employers liability insurance policies should take effect from the date of onset of an asbestos disease rather than the date the person was exposed to asbestos. This would change the accepted practice whereby workers are insured against occupational hazards while they are at work when exposure to asbestos occured. If the "trigger" date is the onset of disease many asbestos victims will never receive a penny in compensation because their disease only manifests itself decades after exposure, by which time most companies will have ceased trading and there will be no insurers to pay compensation. A test case will be heard on the "trigger" issue on the 3rd June 2008 in the High Court in London.

 

House of Lords End Compensation for Pleural Plaques

The Law Lords have upheld a Court of Appeal decision to end compensation for pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are thickening of the lung pleura, a two layered membrane surrounding the lungs, caused by asbestos fibres. People who have pleural plaques have a heightened risk of developing a fatal asbestos disease in the future. Compensation has been paid for over 20 years for the anxiety and fear that a diagnosis of pleural plaques causes. This judgment will cause anger and dismay to thousands of people who live each day with this fear. The Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK is calling on MPs of all parties to overturn this appalling decision in Parliament.

 

The GMB trade union Heat and Frost Insulation Craft Branches have organised a Lobby of Parliament on Tuesday 29th January 2008: 1pm protest opposite Parliament, followed by a meeting with MPs in Room 14 House of Commons.  See the leaflet here

 

NICE rejects appeal and approves Alimta

On the 23rd January NICE announced that it has rejected the appeals against its decision last year to approve Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients should now press their PCTs for early implementation of the NICE decision to allow funding of Alimta by the NHS.

Press release available here

 

FOR ADVICE ON CHALLENGING A PCT DECISION PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

Action Mesothelioma Day

Action Mesothelioma Day 27th February was inaugurated in 2006 by the British Lung Foundation and supporting organisations. Each year events are held throughout the country to raise awareness of mesothelioma and to promote the mesothelioma charter.

 

** For information about events in Manchester please click here **

 

** For information about events throughout the country click here **

 

Mesothelioma sufferers have featured in a DVD especially produced by the Asbestos Victims Support Groups' Forum for Action Mesothelioma Day. This is their message in their words, speaking for all mesothelioma sufferers and their families: Awareness -Prevention - Action.

 

For copies of the DVD ( these cost £5.60 - inc. P&P ), please e-mail us at : asbestos.gmavsg@virgin.net - there is also a version available to watch online, this will be added soon.

 

More information is provided on www.actionmeso.info.