Kate Garraway ready to take flak for criticising the care system

The TV presenter highlights the flaws in new documentary Derek's Story because she feels she can't turn back on carer community.

Albertina Lloyd
·Contributor
Updated ·5-min read
From Flicker Productions KATE GARRAWAY : DEREKS STORY Tuesday 26th March 2024, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Kate Garraway at home during filming in May 2023, Following the sad loss of Derek Draper in January this year, Kate Garraway: Derek's Story, documents the final year of his life. This film follows the two previous award-winning films also made by Flicker Productions: Finding Derek and Caring for Derek. With close access to Derek and his wife, Kate Garraway, the film provides an insight into his personal struggles with illness and highlights the challenges faced by millions of people in the UK living with serious illness and disability and those who care for them. Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek’s struggles and gives an unflinching view of the effect on all those around while also capturing real moments of love and joy as they spend time together as a family. With around five million unpaid carers in England and Wales, the film also highlights the often prohibitive costs as well as practical difficulties, of caring for people within their homes and features contributions from Jake, the care worker who supports Derek’s care, as well as Kathryn Smith, CEO from charity Social Care Institute for Excellence. Derek's Story also reflects on Derek’s life before Covid, including his high-profile political career, as well his relationship with Kate, their early years together and how Derek’s illness changed the nature of their dynamic while they maintained their close bond. When asked why he wanted to take part in this film, Derek said:
Kate Garraway said she expects criticism for highlighting flaws in the care system in documentary Derek's story. (ITV)

What did you miss?

Kate Garraway has said she is expecting to "get flak" for criticising the care system.

The Good Morning Britain presenter speaks out to highlight the flaws in UK care system in her latest documentary, Derek's Story is set to air on ITV tonight. Her husband Derek Draper died in January 2024 aged 56 following his long battle with COVID.

Garraway appeared on The One Show where she admitted that she wishes she still was a carer to Derek, but that she could not be "selfish" and abandon the documentary after his death, as she could not turn her back on the carer community she found herself a part of.

What, how and why?

From Flicker Productions KATE GARRAWAY : DEREKS STORY Tuesday 26th March 2024, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Kate and Derek at home during filming in May 2023, Following the sad loss of Derek Draper in January this year, Kate Garraway: Derek's Story, documents the final year of his life. This film follows the two previous award-winning films also made by Flicker Productions: Finding Derek and Caring for Derek. With close access to Derek and his wife, Kate Garraway, the film provides an insight into his personal struggles with illness and highlights the challenges faced by millions of people in the UK living with serious illness and disability and those who care for them. Joining Derek and Kate in May 2023, the film confronts head on the reality of Derek’s struggles and gives an unflinching view of the effect on all those around while also capturing real moments of love and joy as they spend time together as a family. With around five million unpaid carers in England and Wales, the film also highlights the often prohibitive costs as well as practical difficulties, of caring for people within their homes and features contributions from Jake, the care worker who supports Derek’s care, as well as Kathryn Smith, CEO from charity Social Care Institute for Excellence. Derek's Story also reflects on Derek’s life before Covid, including his high-profile political career, as well his relationship with Kate, their early years together and how Derek’s illness changed the nature of their dynamic while they maintained their close bond. When asked why he wanted to take part in this film, Derek said:
Kate Garraway said Derek Draper would have wanted his story to air and highlight the flaws in the care system. (ITV)

Garraway, 56, said the new documentary had been Draper's idea and that while she had thought twice about continuing with it after his death, he would have wanted it to be shown.

She explained: "In the early part of 2023 he suddenly said, from nowhere, because he had moments of massive clarity. He suddenly said, 'Are we making another documentary?' And I said I hadn't thought of doing it, why did you want to? And he said, 'Yeah, I really want to.' So we started."

Garraway went on: "And then at the end of last year, just when we least expected the damage from COVID took him from us. And so I went through a whole period f thinking is it right? Is it too painful for his mum, his dad, his sister? But then I thought that's rather selfish because he wanted it, and the people he wanted to speak up for.

"Just because I'm no longer a carer – I wish I was – you don't want to walk away from the thing that you were trying to raise awareness of just because it no longer affects you. So it's going ahead with his wants."

The TV and radio presenter revealed Draper, who was a former political lobbyist, was himself frustrated and disheartened by the UK care system he found himself trapped in.

She revealed: "He could see the strain on the professional carers, on the system, the constant assessment where at times he was told, 'You're just not sick enough', but other times he would then be in an ambulance going to hospital.

"I've always felt for him because for somebody that had fought so hard to make things better, in his time in politics and then as a psychologist, it must have been so hard to see the thing that hadn't changed is the thing you are afflicted by."

Garraway said of speaking out to criticise the care system: "I know I'll get some flak for it but I just feel like we're all going to need this aren't we? We're all going to need this either for ourselves or somebody we love. And it isn't a blame game, we just have to find a way to fix it. You've got to have something to catch you when you fall."

What else happened on The One Show?

Kate Garraway attends the funeral of her husband, Derek Draper at St Mary the Virgin Church, on February 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Kate Garraway at the funeral of her husband, Derek Draper in February 2024. (Getty Images)

The One Show host Alex Jones hailed Garraway for her strength and bravery in the wake of Draper's death. She said: "We are joined now by one of the most incredible women I've ever come across. Since she was last here her husband Derek Draper has died following his four year illness as a result of COVID and tonight she is ready to share her final year with him in an emotional documentary. She's here now, hello Kate."

She went on: "Honestly, I've watched all of the documentaries but this one blew me away. I don't know how you've done it. It's the third part and it's the one none of us wanted to see. It's the final part."

Viewers of The One Show also praised Garraway. One wrote on social media platform X: "Good on #KateGarraway for raising the plight of #carers. What all celebs experiencing social and #healthcare issues should do." Another commented: "Really support #KateGarraway there are millions of carers who need someone to speak up for them."

A third said: "I worked with Derek in Parliament & remember him with such fondness. He was passionate about social justice, health & social care & would be SO proud to be stimulating debate. I hope #KateGarraway finds comfort in seeing this project thru. Thanks & love to her "

And another posted: "#KateGarraway is a brave inspiring lady. I love her on the radio too #TheOneShow"

The One Show airs on BBC One at 7pm Monday to Friday.

Kate Garraway: Derek's Story airs on ITV at 9pm and will then be available to stream on ITVX.

Read more

Watch: Kate Garraway opens up about the cost of caring for Derek Draper

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