The NHS National Homes Swindle

[Henk Elegeert]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Democraten,

De komende chaos ...... ?
Voor vergeten of over het hoofd geziene rimram ....

Henk Elegeert

"
PANORAMA
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SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2006 22:15 GMT - BBC ONE
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* The NHS National Homes Swindle *

Panorama uncovers the scandal of thousands of families in England and
Wales being forced to sell their family home to pay for the long-term
medical care in a nursing home, of a sick relative - care that should,
legally, have been paid for by the NHS.

A test case has determined when the NHS should pay for care, but in
practice, the programme reveals, this judgement is being widely
disregarded. A lawyer involved in that case tells Panorama, "It's
dishonest and it's quite astonishing that it's gone on for so long." The
programme reports that the NHS, in many cases, is behaving unlawfully,
and homes are being sold that should not be.


The picture that emerges is of relatives, already distressed by the
severe illness of someone close to them, not being properly informed
about their rights by the NHS.

"I think it's unjust." says a Liverpool man, a former painter and
decorator, paralysed, and paying £27,000 a year for his own care in a
residential home, having never even been advised that the possibility of
free care existed.

The present Government criticised the Conservatives for forcing 40,000
pensioners a year to sell their homes. Tony Blair said he did not want
children "brought up in a country where the only way pensioners can get
long term care is by selling their home."

Commenting on the situation now, David Hinchliffe the former Chair of
the Commons Select Committee on Health says, "It's scandalous... it
leaves you with a very bitter taste."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/pn/-/1/hi/programmes/panorama/default.stm
"

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