A woman was made to wait four years for funding for a care package by Powys Teaching Health Board.
The Public Service Ombudsman for Wales found that a woman was made to wait for four years by Powys Teaching Health board to give decision on her claim for retrospective continuing healthcare funding (CHC).
CHC funding is for people “with long-term complex health needs” which is often for elderly people in care homes but can also be put in place to cover at home care needs.
The funding is designated for people who have “needs arising from disability, accident or illness that cannot be met by existing universal or specialist services alone”.
The NHS currently advises the public that “a decision about eligibility for a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare should usually be made within 28 days of an initial assessment or request for a full assessment.”
Whereas if it is a renewal they advise: “If you're eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your needs and support package will normally be reviewed within 3 months and thereafter at least annually.”
OTHER NEWS:
- Emergency brake system failed on train in Powys crash, investigators say
- Woman accused of causing serious injury to man by careless driving in Powys
- New national park in Wales 'could leave latest plans for Powys obsolete'
The woman, referred to in this case as Ms A, said she found that the four-year-long wait for her funding “unacceptable”.
In the decision made by the Ombudsman it said: “Ms A complained that she put in a claim for retrospective Continuing NHS Healthcare funding (“CHC”) in December 2019 and to date had not received a decision.
“Ms A said that she chased the Health Board for 4 years and considers this to be unacceptable.
“The Health Board has agreed to apologise for the delay in providing Ms A with a decision and to provide a CHC decision letter within six weeks.
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: www.countytimes.co.uk/subscribe
As a digital subscriber you will get
- Unlimited access to the County Times website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
“The Ombudsman considers this to be reasonable and the complaint was settled.”
The County Times approached Powys Teaching Health Board about this case, who said they would work to get the issue resolved promptly.
A spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “We have apologised for the delay in providing a decision in this case, and we are committed to resolving this matter as soon as possible.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here