A Money Mail investigation has found that there is greater pressure than ever to screen out applicants from receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare. There is also a push for reviews of existing NHS CHC. Another Money Mail investigation found that 21,000 reassessments are taking place each year.
This new report has also claimed that mistakes are being made throughout the application process – in some cases, basic errors such as using the wrong pronouns when referring to patients. The findings cause huge concern about whether the system is truly operating to put the needs of patients first or whether there are flaws in the system that may be jeopardising people’s right to full healthcare funding. Anecdotal evidence from clients also mirrors this worrying trend.
Worrying findings.
Money Mail listed their main findings as:
“A staffing shortage has forced local health authorities to pay nurses huge sums — just as officials try to slash care spending. Crucial decisions on funding are being made by panels of people who have never even met those in need of help. Vital reports on care needs are littered with mistakes, such as repeatedly confusing the sex of a patient. One nurse described, in an internal health authority document, how the purpose of her work is to ‘screen out’ funding, rather than to check on a nursing home resident’s health.”
One main issue highlighted was that staff shortages meant that money was being spent on temporary nurses to carry out care assessments, putting a strain on the overall budget.
In addition, the report appears to indicate that nurses are being told to screen out patients, which would imply greater pressure to withhold funding rather than considering each case on its own merits. Sadly, this is also what I am hearing from my clients on a regular basis.
We need to change our approach.
NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is reserved solely for those who have a primary health need. It is funding for patients whose needs have tipped from social care to healthcare, meaning they require more specialist and continuing support. The NHS was set up on the founding idea that everyone has the right to healthcare that is ‘free at the point of use’. It was in this spirit that NHS Continuing Healthcare was established. Those who qualify for the funding, have a right to it due to their primary health need. Each case should be considered on its own merit, without any external pressure to try to cut down on funding that is awarded.
Many of my clients have reported concerns over the system. The mistakes that Money Mail documented are not surprising for those of us who are familiar with the NHS CHC process. However, it shouldn’t be how things are. We need a system where people feel that they are being considered without bias, and that they are being listened to. Simple mistakes – such as mixing up pronouns seem to be the least of the problem – clients regularly report that their healthcare needs are ‘downgraded,’ a robust assessment of their needs is lacking, they say they feel that they are not being listened to and that nobody really cares about their situation. Facing healthcare needs amounting to a ‘primary health need’ (or, often, the end of life) can be worrying and stressful, and so the process should not risk exacerbating their anxiety. A lot of our clients report that it does.
What we do.
At Just Caring Legal, we hear stories every day from people who feel let down by the system. People are desperate and need to know what awaits in their future and whether they are entitled to healthcare funding. We offer a free initial consultation to assess whether you may have a case for claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. Contact us today and we will be able to assess your situation, guide you through the process and maximise your chances of success.