Deadline looms for Ilkley patients' assessment of healthcare (From Wharfedale Observer)

Deadline looms for Ilkley patients' assessment of healthcare

12:00pm Friday 18th January 2013 in Local news

Patients in the Ilkley area have until the end of March to apply for an assessment of eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare funding.

The deadline – March 31 – applies to previously un-assessed periods of care which occurred in the period 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2012.

NHS Bradford and Airedale is asking for local individuals or their representatives to notify them of previously un-assessed periods of time where there is evidence that they should have been assessed for eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare funding, for cases between April 1 2011 and March 31 2012.

NHS continuing healthcare is for people who need long-term healthcare, as opposed to social or residential care.

The deadlines have been introduced because the responsibility for NHS continuing healthcare is moving from Primary Care Trusts to Clinical Commissioning Groups, and the Department of Health wants to set cut-off points for historical cases.

Anyone who thinks this affects them or a family member can contact the NHS continuing healthcare team on (01274) 423003 for further information on the process. It is important for people to note that legal representation will not affect the way in which the PCT deals with an individual’s request.