Sepsis survivor wants house repossession 'stay of execution'

The family of a West Sussex man who nearly died from cancer and sepsis is calling for a "stay of execution" from lenders who are to repossess their home within two weeks.

They say their business fell into £1m worth of debt after Paul Robinson, 71, became ill in 2018. The repossession will help towards repayment of the debt.

The family want any action over the property to be paused until a negligence claim they are taking against an NHS trust is concluded, as they fear any move could worsen his condition.

Lawyers for the lenders told the BBC a "a full judicial process" had been carried out over the debt, while the trust said it hoped the claim can be resolved "without unnecessary delay".

Mr Robinson, who wears an oxygen mask most of the time, says he would feel "broken" if he had to leave his home in Goring-by-Sea, as if his life was "over".

"I feel safe here, we've lived here for15 years," he said.

"To move....I won't know the place. I don't think I could deal with it."

Paul was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018, before suffering from Sepsis and later respiratory failure.

He had fourteen life-saving surgeries with treatment at what is now University Hospitals Sussex and a hospital in London.

Following a court hearing at the end of June, the family have until 24 July to leave their home.

The property was used as a guarantee against a business loan for the company Mr Robinson ran before becoming ill.

His wife, Carys, said:"From the bottom of my heart I fully acknowledge the debt. They will get their money. I'm just praying someone can help give us a stay of execution.

"He was immobilised. When you have Sepsis you are overwhelmed, he couldn't control his projects…."

"The only money we had was enough to get him to London for all the appointments that he needed to attend.

"I didn't pay my mortgage, I didn't pay the council tax. I didn't pay anything. It was food and transport to London, that's all we could afford."

The BBC has seen letters from surgeons involved in Mr Robinson's treatment describing how being forced to move could "trigger a life threatening decline in his overall state of health".

The family are hoping that if their legal action against University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust succeeds, any compensation could be used to pay the debts.

The negligence claim over some of his care at the trust has been ongoing for several years, the family says, with a hearing date set for next June.

The trust says court proceedings were issued in March 2024.

The MP for Worthing West, Dr Beccy Cooper, is urging the NHS teams handling the case to "resolve the long-running claim" and "avoid prolonging the significant distress this process has already caused".

Mr Robinson is cared for by his wife and his son, Will Robinson, who also lives with the couple.

His son said: "He is riddled with infection constantly. My mum has had two strokes. How do you move people like that? His ventilator is remotely controlled…directly to this living address.".

Lawyers for the lenders told the BBC "A full judicial process and considered judicial determination has taken place.

"It would be wholly inappropriate for us or our client to comment further where this is a matter of Court proceedings."

University Hospitals Sussex said: "Whilst we are unable to comment publicly on the details of the case due to the ongoing legal proceedings, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with Mr Robinson and his family.

"We recognise the significant impact this has had on them, and we remain committed to supporting the legal process so that his claim can be resolved fairly and without unnecessary delay.

"Throughout the proceedings, the trust has complied with the timetable set by the Court.

"At the same time, we are mindful of the personal toll that prolonged litigation can have on those involved and last month we invited Mr Robinson and his legal representatives to a formal meeting with the aim of reaching an agreed resolution.

"We remain committed to working constructively with all parties to achieve that outcome as soon as possible."

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