NHS Is Leaving Thousands in the Dark Over Care Home Funding Deadlines
Local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are failing to advise the most vulnerable in care of the impending funding claim deadlines. This is the stark warning from Cheselden; the country’s leading Continuing Care Review specialist.
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced new deadlines for people making claims for NHS Continuing Healthcare between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2012.
On 15 March 2012, Sir David Nicholson, the Chief Executive of the NHS, wrote to all the Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and PCTs in England to introduce the cut-off dates advising them to advertise widely in their area including press, radio and the internet.
However, the market-leading NHS Continuing Healthcare review specialists say that this is just not happening. Cheselden are an experienced team of professionals that are committed to providing high quality service and expert clinical advice to people and organisations across England and they are cautioning that thousands of care home residents are ‘in the dark’ about the funding deadlines.
Colin Ball, Cheselden Managing Director, said: “We work closely with care homes across the country to claim continuing care funding for their clients and the majority of them have heard absolutely nothing from their local PCT or GP about the impending cut off in September; this leaves the most vulnerable ‘off the radar’ when it comes to funding for care.”
And the experts warn that in some instances the situation is being made worse. In one case where a PCT had written to a local nursing home, they wrongly advised that funding cannot be provided in residential care – this is incorrect.
It is in PCT’s best interests to tell people quickly and clearly about the cut off. The lack of facts and awareness is allowing unscrupulous solicitors and ‘slip and trip’ companies to fill the gap left by the NHS, clogging up the system for deserving claims and increasing costs.
Mr Ball added: “All PCT’s have a register of over 60’s in their area. They should be writing to all types of care home to make sure no-one is missed, they also need to be clear about the ‘health need’ requirements to gain funding.”
PCTs and SHAs can now only accept continuing care claims that are received by particular deadlines. If someone has received care in the time period 1st April 2004- 30th September 2007; or from 1st October 2007- 31st March 2011, the deadline is 30th September this year.
What is more, if someone has received care from 1st April 2011- 31st March 2012 the deadline does not loom until 31st March 2013.
If a patient or their relative submits their claim after the relevant cut-off date for their period of care, their claim won’t be considered unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Cheselden’s Managing Director, Colin Ball, comments: “These new deadlines mean it’s essential for anyone who feels their own or a relative’s care should have been funded by the NHS to take action straightaway. You can contact Cheselden for a free, no obligation assessment of your case. Then, if we think you have a valid continuing care claim, we can deal it with for you. Remember, you can still claim if the relative in question has since died.”
You can find out more about the deadlines and how they might affect you by clicking here which includes FAQs about the cut-off dates and why they’ve been introduced. For more information, contact the friendly team of professionals today to see how they can review your case.
ENDS
Media Contact Details
· Name: Cheselden
· Company Name: Cheselden
· Town: Wilmslow
· Country: UK
· Telephone Number: 0845 659 1588
· Email: info@cheselden.co.uk
· Language: English
