Michael and Kim West face £64,000 in cancer treatment costs
Howard Lloyd Regional content editor, Kate Lally SEO writer and Demi Koutouzi
10:12, 06 Dec 2025
Michael West in hospital(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
A retired British couple have been denied NHS cancer treatment and forced to pay out £64,000 – because they had relocated abroad. Michael and Kim West packed up their lives and moved to San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua in 2024 after retiring, splashing out £230,000 on building their dream home.
However, just three months after the completion of their house in July 2025, ex-army engineer Michael was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow. Former equestrian Kim said the couple had no idea they couldn’t access NHS treatment as they no longer owned a property in the UK, leaving them with no choice but to pay for treatment.
This included a cocktail of various cancer medications, as the disease is now impacting the 69-year-old’s kidneys, and six blood transfusions. The couple had savings to cover the cost of building the house, living comfortably and healthcare under normal circumstances, but not for such an “aggressive” type of cancer.
Michael West with wife Kim West(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
Michael has received £64,000-worth of treatment so far and due to it “eating away” at their savings, Kim has now launched a fundraising page. The NHS website clarifies that if you move abroad permanently, you are “no longer automatically entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules”.
Kim, from Dover, said: “We sold our house in the UK and we both got our state pensions. We came here, we bought the land and built the house within six months. In July Michael was diagnosed.
“He was losing weight, he had bone pain. Michael is 6ft 6ins and he has always been slim but he just lost so much weight, it’s been horrible to watch.”
“This is an aggressive cancer that can be treated, but it takes a lot of money. His kidneys joined in on the act because multiple myeloma attacks the kidneys and stops them from filtering properly.”
“Once we get the cancer under control the kidneys will improve. It’s just eating away all of our savings. It’s money we didn’t expect to be paying out long term. He was losing weight and complaining of pain in his ribs, one night it got so bad he was almost crying with pain.”
“I took him down to a clinic and paid for a blood test, his bloods were all over the place. The healthcare here is better than anywhere in the UK. They saw him the next day and the consultant looked at the blood and he knew what it was.”
“He had to do a bone marrow test to prove it was multiple myeloma. He started the treatment and then his haemoglobin went so low they had to stop the treatment and give him blood transfusions that cost money.”
“A lot of people in the UK keep asking me why we won’t come back. I was born and bred in Britain, I’m as English as they come, so is Michael. We didn’t realise we can’t access the NHS except for emergencies because we don’t have a house there.”
Kim, aged 68, revealed that her husband Michael first became aware of his symptoms when he experienced rapid weight loss and bone and rib pain. After spending 10 days in intensive care undergoing medication and dialysis treatments, Michael now struggles with mobility and relies on a walking frame.
The mum-of-one said Michael’s medication costs $4,300 per treatment, and he also requires weekly dialysis at $600 each time. Despite the heartbreak over her husband’s diagnosis, Kim believes it’s ‘better’ to be in a beautiful country than in the UK.
Kim said: “We’re devastated. He’s ill but he is ill in a beautiful place. It’s safer here than anywhere I’ve ever been my whole life. We’ve both always been as healthy as healthy can be. I was absolutely shocked, I’ve got this 6ft 6ins husband who I adore and he’s got cancer, he’s never been ill, he can just about walk now.
“We bought a zimmer frame for days when he feels a bit fragile, it’s just horrible to watch. Even though it’s not chemo it makes him feel terrible. He was in intensive care for 10 days, when he came out he could barely walk.
“It’s a beautiful country, it is stunning, it’s underpopulated, there’s not really any tourism, prices here are much lower than in the UK. The house is stunning, I overlook the jungle and the sea.
“We don’t want to move back, the temperature is constant all year round, you have a wet and dry season, I’ve got the most beautiful view. Michael and I know he’d rather be ill here where the weather is lovely and the view is beautiful than in the UK at the moment where it’s not good.”
“Someone said to look at Nicaragua, we came for two weeks and decided this is where we want to be.”
Michael said: “It was a big shock. The pain I had in my bones, chest and pelvis was really painful so that’s why we rushed to hospital. They confirmed it the next day and we were in the hospital for two weeks. I’m not feeling good at all, the bone pain is really bad and my mouth is very sore.
“We’re going there now to see the pain management team, they need to be careful with what they give me because some painkillers can affect the kidneys.”
The NHS website states: “If you’re moving abroad on a permanent basis, you’ll no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system.”
You can contribute to Kim’s GoFundMe here
According to the NHS, multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow, which is found inside bones, is where blood cells are made.
Myeloma occurs when your bone marrow produces certain malfunctioning blood cells, known as plasma cells. Myeloma can impact various parts of your body, including your kidneys and immune system.
Michael West with wife Kim(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
Michael West in hospital(Image: Kennedy News and Media)