Under pressure care policy in spotlight

CASH for care rules are changing across the county with patients and their families urged to make their views known.

The three organisations which plan and purchase NHS services in Leicestershire and Rutland have joined forces to launch a six week consultation.

Reform could result in a reduction in choice for patients as to where they receive their care - whether that is at home or in a care home.

Currently West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) can spend up to 25% more than the most cost effective option to provide care in a setting of a patient’s choice.

Two new options are being considered for continuing healthcare (CHC) - either spending no extra or spending 10% extra if the patient’s preference is more expensive.

A spokesman for the CCG said: “Sometimes, a patient’s preferred setting of care - at home for example - can cost more than the same level of care in a different setting.

“If the CCGs spend more money in some cases for a patient’s preferred choice, this can reduce the overall amount of funding available to care for all patients.

“We fund more CHC packages of care and of higher costs than most other areas in the country.

“In 2015/16 we spent £73.5 million.”

Some patients may remain exempt and the CCG wants to introduce clearer criteria on such exemptions.

It is also suggesting two other changes.

The first is providing 24-hour care from a registered nurse only in a nursing home and hospital level care only in a specialist unit.

And, while seeking to meet people’s first choice of care provider, if that is not available being able to place people with an alternative.

The body, along with East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG and Leicester City CCG, is facing increasing pressure as an ageing population places more demand on services.

CCG chiefs say the current settings of care policy is unsustainable.

Some 1,300 people across Leicestershire and Rutland receive NHS CHC funding.

A survey is being sent to all patients who might be affected and information about the consultation and an online version of the survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SettingsofCare2017

People who receive packages of care funded by the local authority will not be affected by the review.

The consultation is open for submissions until Monday February 20.