A Swindon couple who feel they were forced to leave their Swindon home after being 'abandoned' during a brain tumour diagnosis have spoken out.

David Price, known to his friends and family as Budge, and his wife Gina have lived in a council home in North Swindon for several years where Budge worked in telecommunications.

But their lives were turned upside down when Gina, who has lived for 10 years with fibromyalgia, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2023.

The 47-year-old had her tumour removed during surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in July 2023 and was taken into intensive care for seven weeks.

However, after being told that she would be transferred to the Oxford Centre for Enablement due to her high level of need, she was instead sent back to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

It was there that Gina and her husband waited six months for surgery to replace her missing skull, and when no surgery took place the Swindon woman was discharged and sent home.

The result, according to the couple, was devastating.

“It’s a never-ending nightmare for us both," said Gina's husband Budge.

"We’ve had to leave our home to move in with my parents because we weren't getting the support we needed, and I’ve not been able to go back to work for over a year as I'm now her full-time carer.

"I am now in my 40s, having worked all of my adult life and am now sleeping on the sofa and Gina is in the living room on a hospital bed.

"You never think this kind of thing will happen to you – and when it does, you don’t expect that you will get very little support and be expected to bear this burden alone."

The Price family have now been forced to split up, with their adult son staying in their council home.

It was not until mid-2024 that the couple were assigned a social worker by Swindon Council.

In September 2024, they were finally offered a council-owned bungalow which was more suitable to Gina's needs, but according to Budge the property was too expensive for their reduced budget.

“We’ve also been told that it will be at least 64 weeks before Gina’s PIP payment can be assessed," he said.

"It's been over a year since her diagnosis and surgery now.

“I want to get back to work and I don’t want to live on benefits, but I cannot see the light at the end of this tunnel for either of us.”

Janet Shreeve, who runs a care service advocating for people like the Price family, added: “I’ve seen some difficult cases but this is the worst I’ve ever encountered.

Janet Shreeve (left) has been supporting Budge (right) and his wifeJanet Shreeve (left) has been supporting Budge (right) and his wife (Image: Shreeve Care Services) "The lack of care and support for this young couple at the worst time of their lives has been appalling.

"Not only are they unable to stay in their home, but the alternative they have been offered is more than they can afford given their reduced financial status.

"The care provided for Gina has been inadequate and unsuitable for her needs which means Budge has become her main carer with no prospect of being able to return to work in the long term.

"Their lives are in tatters through no fault of their own.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: “It can take a great deal of adjustment whenever anyone is discharged from hospital and they require ongoing support to enable them to live at home. Our adult social care team will therefore step in to help individuals maximise their independence and aid their recovery.

“This will take place as soon as the individual is discharged from hospital and our reablement team will provide support to allow the person to settle back into living in their home.

“Our Intermediate Care team will then allocate a Care Act Assessment and consider long-term support options. These assessments are always undertaken in a timely manner so the individual and their carer receive the support they need.

“We don’t discuss individual cases in the media, but would welcome the chance to discuss any concerns directly with Mr and Mrs Price.”

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