‘National system’ for care costs in England

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the launch of a new framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare that aims to provide a national system across England for the funding of care services.

Currently, the eligibility of individuals for funding to pay for continuing care services can be affected by where they live, in addition to other personal circumstances.

Developed following consultation with patient groups, professional bodies and other relevant stakeholders, the new framework aims to create consistent access to continuing care services across the country, increasing efficiency and reducing the number of repeated patient assessments.

The government reports that the scheme is due to be implemented in October 2007, with the first year of operation expected to cost approximately 220 million pounds.

Ivan Lewis, care minister, said: “We understand that families do have to make difficult and emotional decisions when someone has to go into residential care and this can be made worse by having to consider how this will be funded.

“To make the system fairer for everyone, we have produced new national guidance.”

He added that while the new framework will not immediately solve all problems related to the funding of continuing care, its establishment will eventually result in individuals gaining more consistent access to NHS funding nationwide.

Earlier this month, the DoH announced the details of consultation efforts regarding the role and future of care workers in England.