Social Care News

Deadline approaching for care home cost claims

People who believe their care should have been funded by the NHS are being urged by the Welsh Government to register their claim.

Continuing NHS Healthcare is a package of care provided free of charge by the NHS for those people with complex and primarily health-based needs. This can be provided in a care home or an individual’s own home.

People who think they, or someone they care for, may have been eligible for Continuing NHS Healthcare but paid for all, or part, of their care can submit a claim.

Potential claimants have until October 31 to register their intent to make a claim for continuing healthcare costs which were incurred between October 1, 2014, and October 30, 2015. The NHS will provide advice to claimants and will complete all of the work required to review their case free of charge. All claims will be reviewed within six months.

Rebecca Evans, minister for social services and public health, said: “People with an illness or disability can sometimes need long-term care to help them, and their families, manage.

"Some people will have paid for that care themselves, when it should have been provided free by the NHS. If people, or their families, believe they meet the criteria I encourage them to come forward to make a claim."

Information about continuing NHS healthcare, including advice about making a retrospective claim and the new cut-off arrangements, can be found on the Welsh Government website.