"Social Care" charges?

[Tremulous Tetra]

"Social Care" charges?

In particular I am trying to get hold of Pamela Coughlan UK, but would also be interested in speaking to anybody with experience of, or an interest in, the charges being levied by councils for "Social Care".

I watched the panorama programme the other week about charges for the elderly.  Featured in this program was Pamela Coughlan, a woman who was spinal injured in the 1970s.  The NHS tried to transfer her care costs to the council saying her needs were "Social Care".  Pamela took this case to the High Court who deemed something like, if your prime need for care is medical care then the cost of the full care package has to be borne by the NHS.  And I’m fairly positive this has meant that Pamela Coughlan has not had to pay “Social Care” charges.

It seemed like Pamela Coughlan was living in some kind specific residence, rather than living in the community.  I live in the community with my wife and children, but I too am I expected to pay “Social Care” charges.  Like Pamela Coughlan my prime need for care is medical care.  I would like to go down the same path as Pamela, and challenge the right of the council to levy this tax upon me.

Can anybody give any advice? 

If anybody wants to contact me, they can at resistanceMP3@yahoo.co.uk

Mark.

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Mark

Welcome.

This is not my forte I am afraid. I come into the category of being a doctor but, unfortnately, this avenue is outwith my field.

However, here is a website which may be of use.

http://www.gpss.tripoduk.com/nhscare/

I did not see the programme so cannot comment. So far as I am aware ( and someone will correct me if I am wrong and if I am then apologies for misleading) but in Scotland I did not think we paid social charges.

From experience, my uncle has alzheimers and I know that my aunt pays a subsidised rate to his care home and the local authority pick up the rest. There is also "free care" for the elderly and infirm but, again, it depends on your circumstances whether this applies. In my aunts case she would be worse off going down this road as the local authority would then not pay a brass farthing.

Sorry I cannot be more specific but as I say it is outwith my field. You could try contacting this website and see if they could put you in touch with Pamela or perhaps they could even give you advice.

Keep us posted and let us know how you get on. I should not say this but although a doctor I am first of all one of the many disabled and like to see the "fat cats" getting their noses put out of joint. Please dont anyone tell my boss that!

Regards.

[Andy]

welcome Querty, am very interested in the outcome of this as it affects me too, wil research as much as I can and come back to you on it as the implications are huge, the councils in england and wales are now supposed to only charge for social care services and must operate under the 'fairer charging scheme' In practice I've found two diffferent councils very different.

Under fairer charging the councils will carry out a means test, however, Councils are expected to assess disability-related expenditure specifically for all users whose disability-related benefits are taken into account as income. Councils should also consider and specifically consult users on any need to do this for other users, who may have disability-related expenditure.

My councils forms didn't even include this expenditure and after totalling it all up it made a huge difference in the amount I was required to pay, If your disability prevents you doing things and you pay others to do that now like cleaning, gardening etc that all must be taken into account.  I even included the cost of my vehicle adaptions, deposits and cost of running my wheelchair too

My main reason for still requiring social services input really is medical because its to put compression stockings on daily which I can't do so like you fit more into the 'medical care' bracket

very interested to fnd out if there has been a high court ruling on this

Andy

[Tremulous Tetra]

Andy;

I don't think that pressure stockings would count as medical.  The only things which count as medical, are things that which are invasive, go into the body somehow.  This would include dressing, as there is an open wound.

according to my council any monies that are part of a award/compensation for the disability, are excluded from any calculation.  they did not tell me this for about 10 years.

[Andy]

I seem to remember that now yes , but plainly its wrong as the stockings are prescribed and recommended by a Doctor and worn to help oedema and circulatory problems, seems the councils have decided whats medical in  their own favour