The Cost of Care
Health Care Provided by the National Health Service
The National Health Service provides general healthcare free of charge to people in the United Kingdom who are regarded to be resident in the UK.
Social Care Provided by the Local Authority
Social care provided by a Local Authority following an assessment that a person is eligible for a social care service is provided subject to a means test, which means that depending on a person’s capital and income, they may have to pay the full or part cost of those services, or may not have to pay at all, provided that their finances are below a certain level.
Intermediate Care
Intermediate care can be provided for a maximum of 6 weeks, with the aim of rehabilitating a person back to independent living, after a stay in hospital, or to avoid a person going into hospital. The care is likely to be intensive, and can cover health care as well as social care, yet the entire package of care should be provided free of charge. It can be provided in any setting, e.g. the home, in a rehabilitation centre, day centre, hospital or any other accommodation. The kinds of service available could include nursing, physiotherapy, help at home, and effectively any care needed to rehabilitate the person. At the end of the 6 week period the person should be assessed again to see whether they require any further services or continuing care.
Continuing Care
With continuing care, where a person’s primary need for care is a health care need, their whole package of care, including social care services and even care home fees, should all be met by the National Health Service. Where a person’s primary care need is for social care, the provision of their care would be met by Social Services, who may charge for services, depending on a person’s means.
Nursing Contributions
People in nursing homes will generally receive health care services from the on site nursing staff as part of their package of NHS full funded care. Other people, in residential care homes, at home or elsewhere, may still require some nursing care from a registered nurse and this is now not to be provided by Social Services. The NHS has set criteria in four bands, by which it is determined what contribution will be provided by the NHS for nursing care.
Next: The Assessment