96-year-old’s care ‘cut’ reviewed
After weeks of uncertainty, the 96-year-old whose home care is on the chopping block, will soon know what her future holds.
Trixie Cottingham has lived alone for 31 years since her husband died and for the past few years has relied on a cleaning service of 90 minutes a week to do the jobs she can’t.
Earlier this month, she received an out-of-the-blue letter from the provider of that service, Midcentral District Health Board, telling her she would be cut off.
The Manawatu Standard shared her story, prompting public outrage.
Cottingham appealed and the DHB says the final decision is expected this week, after the review is conducted under urgency.
Labour health spokeswoman Annette King has called out Midcentral as ‘‘heartless, shortsighted and penny pinching’’.
She questioned how much money the DHB could save by cutting the home care services of a 96 year old.
Cottingham is not alone. The DHB is assessing 1000 people who had been receiving home care services only.
Twenty-five people requested appeals, of which three have been successful.
DHB strategy planning and performance general manager Craig Johnston said Midcentral needed to take a ‘‘thorough look at the person’s needs and individual circumstances’’.
‘‘It will take a few days to work through and process the outcome of the assessment.’’
Johnston said the next step was to discuss the outcome with Cottingham and her family.
‘‘This will happen as soon as possible so that Mrs Cottingham has certainty about her future home management arrangements.’’
Cottingham’s support services will remain in place at least until the end of the review.
Cottingham said she met with hospital representatives on Friday and was asked a variety of questions.
Cottingham said she would just have to wait now to hear the outcome.
Johnston has previously said the demand for personal care services was ‘‘increasing sharply’’ and the DHB had to put funding ‘‘where it will make the biggest difference’’.