Shropshire watchdog call on health care funding
A report to a Shropshire health watchdog has heard how funding for care for people with long-term mental and physical conditions has fallen dramatically in Telford and Wrekin over the last 3 years.
A report to the area’s Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee shows that NHS funding for these patients living in the borough – called continuing health care – has dropped by 73 per cent from one of the highest levels of funding in the region to the lowest.
It means that when compared to other areas in the West Midlands, including Shropshire, people in Telford and Wrekin are less likely to qualify for Continuing Healthcare funding.
There has been a reduction of over £10 million in NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for these vulnerable patients which has meant that funding has either had to be found by Telford & Wrekin Council, at a time when it is facing unprecedented cuts in Government funding and making over £51 million in savings over 5 years, or by patients who must now fund their own care.
The report to the HOSC heard evidence from a number of organisations about the effect of this cut and the system of assessment that has been inherited from the now disbanded Primary Care Trust.
Telford & Wrekin’s Health and Adult Care scrutiny chair Cllr Derek White said: “This review is vital and timely as the new Telford and Wrekin CCG has now taken responsibility for the commissioning of many local health services.
“The HOSC has made a number of recommendations in this report – I am confident that the CCG will listen to our concerns and their response will result in an improvement of the assessment process for Continuing Healthcare and an increase in the level of funding.”
“We want to ensure that the people of Telford and Wrekin get the level of health care based on their need, consistent with that provided in other areas. Many people do not see the work carried out by the Council’s cross part Scrutiny Committees – but this is a good example of the way Councillors can really make a different for local people.
“As a new organisation the CCG has the opportunity to make the changes necessary to make a real difference for some of the most vulnerable patients and their families.
“We will be keeping a very close watch on the CCG’s approach to this issue.
“Any solutions must be resolved through partnership working that puts the patient at the centre – not funding.”
