There is a lot of conflicting information around whether legal representation and expert advice about NHS Continuing Healthcare can be beneficial when it comes to applying for fully funded care. We’ll take you through the potential advantages of getting expert advice, and why it can make all of the difference.
The process can go wrong.
The process should be simple. Going through the Checklist stage and then the DST would seem quite straightforward. However, clients regularly report there is often misinformation which leaves people confused about each stage, and this risks them missing out on fulfilling their rights and getting the funding they deserve. For instance, many people aren’t told that they can be present at each stage and discussion – but they should be. It’s vital that the process is as transparent as possible and that the individual is aware of just how the decisions have come about.
There can be mistakes.
There can be mistakes which occur at each stage. The primary health need may be listed wrong, it may be categorised wrong, medical records may be poorly maintained and people not trained to conduct assessments may be involved. This can severely impact the likelihood of being found eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. Many people may not realise these mistakes until it’s too late – and they have been deemed as ineligible. By which point, the only option is to appeal.
Appeals can be lengthy – and they just mean paying more for care in the meantime.
The main reason why it’s best to make your case as strong as possible as early as possible is that it can cost much more down the line if an individual is deemed ineligible for care. People can secure refunds of care fees, but some appeals have sat for years. When the average care home fee stands at £44,000 per year that is a significant sum to be paying out if you’re being wrongly charged for care.
Legal representation can maximise your chances of success and, ultimately, save you money.
Having expert advice and legal representation can bolster your chances of success throughout the NHS Continuing Healthcare process. Just Caring Legal is a solicitors’ firm specialising in NHS Continuing Healthcare. This means we know all of the potential problems people may come across when applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare – and we know how to tackle them. Invest money to save money to get it right.
Rosalind can guide you through each stage of NHS Continuing Healthcare funding with her specialist medio-legal knowledge. Just Caring Legal also offers a free consultation so that you can discuss your case in-depth with Roz, and she can determine how best to proceed and what your chances of success are for obtaining eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.
Call us now on 0191 556 1078 or email us at [email protected]