Report: Care Funding Cut for Thousands Living Longer Than Anticipated
NHS payments for terminally ill or elderly individuals nearing the end of their lives can be initiated and terminated on an ‘ad hoc’ basis with regional disparities, as per Age UK.
New research indicates that numerous older and terminally ill individuals are having their NHS funding for care revoked after outliving assessors’ expectations. Those granted fast-track NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) for end-of-life support may have it withdrawn following a reassessment, requiring them to cover their care costs, despite their needs remaining unchanged.
Age UK’s report reveals significant regional discrepancies in CHC access, with 58% of applicants receiving support in some parts of England versus only 5% in others. The charity described the system as deceptive, with decisions made sporadically and behind closed doors.
Eligibility for funding is determined locally by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), with assessors evaluating if individuals meet the criteria for funding. Although the number of CHC-eligible individuals has increased, it comprises mostly new fast-track patients expected to receive funding for a limited period.
NHS data analysis shows a 37% decrease in the number of individuals eligible for standard, long-term CHC funding since 2018. Moreover, FOI data from ICBs implies that numerous individuals are losing fast-track funding because they are outliving expectations, even if their needs have not changed.
Age UK highlighted that many elderly individuals with chronic illness and high care needs are unjustly missing out on CHC funding, resulting in substantial care costs. The charity emphasized the growing gap between CHC’s intended purpose and its current implementation.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, expressed concern over NHS “rationing” and the unequal access to CHC, labeling it a “postcode lottery.” She criticized the opaque decision-making process and emphasized the need for fair and transparent allocation of funds.
The current CHC system is accused of favoring short-term care over long-term support for vulnerable individuals, thereby jeopardizing their funding if they outlive initial expectations. Age UK called for a more equitable and rules-based distribution of CHC resources to address these issues.
A statement from the NHS affirmed that eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare funding is assessed individually by local health and social care professionals, regardless of age or diagnosis.
Senior civil servant Sir Chris Wormald acknowledged the budgetary challenges posed by CHC but stressed the importance of prioritizing individuals in decision-making processes.
PA Media contributed to this report.
