Continuing Health Care - Preparing to fight PCT's decision

monkeyspanner

Direct payments is a bit of a pain. In my MIL's area the council insisted on a separate bank account to receive direct payments and client contributions and to pay 3rd party for services. The client was also expected to produce quarterly returns showing income ans expenditure.

weanie

I agree - the intention is good and we feel it is better to manage, vet and monitor regular carers. It does take a lot of time though - interviewing, overseeing, preparing contracts, arranging holiday entitlement, insurance etc. An account is set up in the user's name and this account can only be used for the purpose of Direct Payments. Financial people from the council call and check paperwork and I send off bank statements monthly.
It was very hard to set up a bank account for my mother. She already had one and the bank could not give her a bank account with another cheque book. It took quite a while fo rme to get the permissions from the bank to use the account and it seemed bonkers that I would have to go into the bank to do money transfers weekly to pay the carers. The way forward was internet banking and I can transfer money to the carers according to their hours each month. I support the prospect of choice direct payments can offer but can't help feeling that a lot of people may not have either patience or interest in all the papaerwork to make a go if it.

Errata

Snowbird, sorry I forgot to mention DP were means tested.

Re aministering DP's. Some councils can arrange for the admin to be done by an agency - dunno what the charge might be.

monkeyspanner

Heads up for anyone receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare funding in Devon. Due to severe financial pressure on the CHC funding budget ALL existing CHC funded cases in Devon are to be reveiwed over the next few weeks. How this will be acheived I am not sure as it takes weeks/months to get an initial assessment. Presumeably this is in an attempt to withdraw funding from as many current recipients as possible.

For anyone in this situation please note that if you or a relative is a current recipient of CHC funding your PCT is not allowed under the CHC rules to withdraw funding until the appeal process is exhausted. If anyone is told funding is to be withdrawn without due process please post here and I will find the relevant document and clause.

We have been informed that this process was underway by my MIL's care home where 3 clients are in receipt of CHC funding.

Sadly this will not be relevant for us as my MIL passed away this morning. I will continue to monitor this thread and make every effort to help if I can. Please excuse any delays in making replies as I am likely to be busy for the next few days/weeks.

EdInvestor

monkeyspanner wrote: »

Sadly this will not be relevant for us as my MIL passed away this morning.

Very sad to hear of your loss, monkeyspanner. Your contributions have been exceptionally helpful to people dealing with these issues, many thanks for your ongoing efforts to explain how to grapple with this very complex area at a time when virtually everyone involved is under serious stress.

JuneBow

So sorry for your loss Monkeyspanner.
There are many people here gratful for your contribtions and experience here, and also your continued interest in this thread at this sad time.

fredsnail

So sorry to hear of your loss, thank you so much for your advice in this area for such a daunting area for most of us.

You help everyone through the maze and entanglement and it's really much appreciated.

Errata

Sorry to read your sad news.

weanie

Very sorry to hear your news.
The knowledge and vigour you have provided to the site has been exceptional. It is hard to balance the tasks of trailblazing information and help and at the same time supporting a vulnerable relative.
Condolences and thanks

ukmaggie45

Dear Monkeyspanner, so sorry to hear your news. Condolences to your wife too. Best wishes to you both.