Sheila Holt dies aged 48

Sheila Holt, from Hamer, Rochdale, who was pursued by the government about going back to work despite being critically ill in a coma, has died at the age of 48.

Mrs Holt, who was severely bipolar, died last week.

Mrs Holt was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in December 2013 after being placed on a work programme for disability benefit claimants. She had a heart attack in a psychiatric hospital and remained in a coma.

Despite her condition, ATOS, a firm which assesses whether benefit claimants in Britain are fit to work, sent her a letter the next month enquiring after her fitness and suitability to work.

Mrs Holt hadn’t worked for 27 years due to her condition and illnesses.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk championed Mrs Holt’s case and raised the issue in the House of Commons.

Her story made local and national headlines and eventually drew an ‘unreserved apology’ from a government minister.

http://rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/85668/government-issues-unreserved-apology-to-family-of-rochdale-coma-woman-sheila-holt

A funeral service will be held today, Thursday 19 March, at 3pm at Rochdale Crematorium.