At TRF, we encounter a worrying number of patients receiving SOCIAL care, when they are entitled to HEALTH care. The result being that their beneficiaries needlessly receive a reduced inheritance after their death.
The difference between SOCIAL and HEALTH care is that with social care, if the recipient owns assets of value in excess of £14,250, then they are required to contribute to their care. If they own assets of value in excess of £23,250, then they are required to use the excess to pay for their care. Such assets include residential property if this is solely owned and occupied by the recipient of social care.
HEALTH CARE IS FREE UNDER THE NHS FOR ANYONE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN THE UK.
In theory, anyone whose primary need for care is health related is entitled to receive health care without having to pay for it. A health need is one related to the treatment, control or prevention of a disease, illness, injury or disability, and the care or aftercare of a person with these needs (whether or not the tasks involved have to be carried out by a health professional).
A social need is one which is not a result of an underlying health related condition. General effects of the ageing process, for example, are not health needs.
In practice, the routine procedure of the NHS is to refuse all applications for health care funding until a patient or their representatives appeal and fight an unjust rejection. This is far cheaper for the NHS and the Government than to offer funding to all those eligible for it.
This is achieved through a combination of financial motivation, empty threats, secrecy, delaying tactics, and poor training. Only a very small percentage of those rejected proceed to appeal against the rejection. Also, focusing upon a diagnosis rather than the specific health needs of a receiver of care is a common and effective refusal tool.
However, once you are aware of this cynical practice, and are prepared to fight for NHS funding, which is entitled to you or the patient for whom you represent, the ends very much justify the means. The current average cost of permanent health care in England & Wales is well in excess of £3,000 per month.
THE QUALITY OF THE CARE A PERSON RECEIVES WILL NOT BE DIMINISHED IN ANY WAY IF FUNDED BY THE NHS.
Please see our NHS Care Funding page for further details.
TRF Wills (TRF) was created by Michael Cotterill in 2005. He is a member of the Society of Will Writers and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.