Review of Charging Policy - Terminal Illness
Minutes:
The Director of Health and Wellbeing presented a report containing an options appraisal relating to a review of the Charging Policy for Provision of free home care and community services to people with a terminal illness.
The review was as a result of a Local Ombudsman complaint regarding application of the eligibility criteria for provision of free services. The Ombudsman, although not finding against the Council, had recommended a more formalised process for determining and evidencing eligibility.
Appendix 1 of the report submitted set out an options appraisal emphasising the need to avoid implementation of a process that required formal medical evidence and was less sensitive and more intrusive.
People who were at end of life would continue to receive free care through Continuing Health Care and individuals would be supported to access appropriate health services to ensure their needs were met.
When applying the Charging Policy, approximately 50% of customers, subjected to a financial assessment, would receive a free service.
Resolved:- (1) That Option 2 be implemented i.e. the Council’s Charging Policy be applied to people who were terminally ill until such a time as they became eligible for Continuing Health Care funding.
(2) That the charge be only applied to new customers from the date the Policy was implemented.
(3) That the Policy be implemented as from 8th April, 2013.