December 2006 | Click to go back

Solicitors home in on the cost of care

A firm of Walsall solicitors are making life more comfortable for the region’s elderly community this Christmas by ensuring that they are being properly assessed for their care home fees.

Probate department Partner Sue Comrie with colleague Patricia Venables (top).

The probate department at Enoch Evans are advising the elderly and vulnerable to exercise caution when considering a move into the full-time care environment, especially at a time of year that can be difficult for those who live alone.

They claim that if care needs are primarily health focused then the NHS should pay for it. The specialist in-house team comprising of Patricia Venables and Susan Comrie have bought glad tidings to their clients by making some major breakthroughs to ensure they receive full entitlement for their care.

Patricia Venables said: “The probate department at Enoch Evans has a wealth of experience in dealing with claims for assistance with nursing home fees. It is not widely known, for instance, that if someone needs to go into a home for medical reasons there is a chance that they can get their nursing homes fees paid. This is not means tested.”

Most recently Patricia advised a client whose 97 year-old mother was in residential accommodation. She was receiving the Middle Band for Registered Nursing Care Contribution (RNCC) and her children wanted to know if she was eligible for NHS Continuing Care Funding. 

On behalf of the family Patricia wrote to the NHS Primary Care Trust asking them to review the assessment as the family felt that their mother's condition had deteriorated.  This prompted the NHS to carry out a review of her condition to see if she met the criteria. 

Patricia, who is a committee member of the Birmingham branch of Solicitors for the Elderly - a national association of specialist lawyers advising older people, concluded: “Although our client’s mother did not meet the criteria for the NHS funding she was reassessed as a result of the request. Subsequently she was upgraded to the RNCC High Band which meant that she received a weekly increase of £50 towards her nursing home fees.

“Care fees can be hugely expensive and it is vital that residents, their families and carers realise that the potential for financial loss can be significant if they choose not to take specialist advice."

If you or a member of your family would like advice from Enoch Evans you can contact them on 01922 720333.

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