Continuing Health Care - Preparing to fight PCT's decision

monkeyspanner

I think the situation of possible improvement is covered by the following sections from the National Framework

56.Assessment of eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare can take place in either hospital or non-hospital settings. It should always be borne in mind that assessment of eligibility that takes place in an acute hospital may not always reflect an individual’s capacity to maximise their potential. This could be because, with appropriate support, that individual has the potential to recover further in the near future. It could also be because it is difficult to make an accurate assessment of an individual’s needs while they are in an acute services environment. Anyone who carries out an assessment of eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare should always consider whether there is further potential for rehabilitation and for independence to be regained, and how the outcome of any treatment or medication may affect ongoing needs.
57.In order to address this issue and ensure that unnecessary stays on acute wards are avoided, there should be consideration of whether the provision of further NHS-funded services is appropriate. This might include therapy and/or rehabilitation, if that could make a difference to the potential of the individual in the following few months. It might also include intermediate care or an interim package of support in an individual’s own home or in a care home. In such situations, assessment of eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare should usually be deferred until an accurate assessment of future needs can be made. The interim services (or appropriate alternative interim services if needs change) should continue in place until the determination of eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare has taken place. There must be no gap in the provision of appropriate support to meet the individual’s needs.

realshannon

thanks, appreciated. we were shocked when we saw her yesterday - dementia is so strange. she had 5 mins of appearing to be ok and then 5 mins of sleeping, then 5 mins being very agitated and for the first time - she shouted at my husband (her son) who I feel she has the best relationship and it honestly didnt even sound like her! I was in her en suite and I came out as it sounded like another person but it was her so I feel an aggressive element - borne out of disease and frustration, is creeping in. waiting to get dates sorted for next instalment, another day off work for both of us - how much longer can the PCT go on I wonder? I know the answer tho, it is just a file to them

Katykat

My pct took 4 yes but they did capitulate in the end and I,ve had 4 yrs fees returned. It wasn't an easy fight, but it shows you can beat them if you are determined enough

Katykat

That should be 4 years

realshannon

thank you - that is reassuring even tho for you it must have seemed an eternity - it is very hard work as you constantly cannot trust the people you should be able to 100% - I have had so many explanations and lies told, passed around, numerous requests for power of attorney as they all want a copy even tho its the same PCT - pension service, attendance allowance, lloyds bank all been terrible. The only ones who have been so professional and did what they said they were going to is BT, Eon and South West Water, who refunded nearly £300 without a blink of an eye. Thank goodness the nursing home where she is now is v good and it was a good move although it was scary, we didnt know how she would react but in reality, she had been so ill, and with the dementia, she couldnt remember where she was before. thanks again, will post later when next assessment done and hopefully dusted

Koicarp

Only just found this thread and having worked with CHC for CHILDREN for the last couple of years I have to say I'm amazed at the problems many are obviously having.
It seems this is a problem related to funding of one's own care vs social care funding vs health care funding. With children of course self funding is not an issue, and the only debate at panel is whether it is social care or health care funding (or mixture of both).
In the last couple of years I've done 30 CHC assessments, all have either been fully or partially health funded. I've refused to do 5 which having read the medical notes and discussed the cases individually with parents, were obviously not going to get any health funding.
I don't use the checklist as I know it inside out and could recite it in my sleep, but I have trained a number of social workers to use it and refer back to me.
A point about specialists being ignored was made earlier. I include any consultants involved in the assessment (via email), though they rarely want to write anything and I can't see why others would not want to do this. It slows the process down but means we get all the important views.
A point was made earlier in the thread about elderly adults being vulnerable, could not the "protection of vulnerable adults guidance" be used in this instance?
There is a lot of criticism of NHS staff/assessors etc throughout this thread, and I can see why, but we are all also patients at some time in our lives, my own mother is currently very ill and my daughter had a still birth a few weeks ago, so we do occasionally get personal reminders of what it is like to be patient/carer.

monkeyspanner

Unfortunately the elderly in our society are seen as expendable. It seems that even though they have made a contribution in the past they do not deserve any expediture in the last years of their lives.

Trebor16

monkeyspanner wrote: »

Unfortunately the elderly in our society are seen as expendable. It seems that even though they have made a contribution in the past they do not deserve any expediture in the last years of their lives.

And if they have assets they are seen as cash cows by the NHS and social services.

Koicarp

It's the use of assets that would annoy me most. What point is there in us working hard and looking after ourselves throughout our more productive years if everything is sold from under us when we are old, whilst those who have led unproductive lives get the same care anyway.

DiggerUK

Koicarp wrote: »

Only just found this thread ........

This thread was a massive help in advising me how to help a family member.
There are a few dedicated regulars who still assist others; as you are experienced in this field I hope you pop by every so often to help as you can.
..._