Statement: Response to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland CCGs Settings of Care policy

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is dismayed to see that severely disabled people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland now face a confusing and unfair postcode lottery of care, following the locals CCGs different decisions on the same policy regarding the future of NHS continuing healthcare funding.

The Settings of Care Policy discussed by each CCG sought to limit the choices available to severely disabled people about where they live and receive care on purely financial grounds. The implications of such a policy are that those with the greatest care needs may be forced out of their own homes, separated from their families and placed in residential care against their wishes.

The SIA welcomes the decision by Leicester City CCG and West Leicestershire CCG to defer a decision until early 2018 pending a full impact assessment. We are greatly concerned that East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG have approved the policy subject to a redraft and resubmission at an as yet unspecified date. The contents of that particular policy, though approved, therefore remains unclear.

We are against the principle of an arbitrary financial cap on NHS CHC funded care provision that does not allow for proper consideration of the reality of people’s care needs and their personal aspirations. SIA believes that the policy under consideration is at odds with the government agenda of personalised healthcare delivery. We want the CCGs to follow both the spirit and letter of the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS Funded Nursing Care and to see a recognition of the value of supporting individuals to live at home for as long as it is clinically safe to do so, allowing them to fully participate in family life, society and live meaningful lives. Above all, we need a system that genuinely engages with people to provide the independence, support and care they deserve and need.