Helpline reports large increase in calls about continuing care funding

The helpline FirstStop Advice has reported a large increase in calls from people enquiring about continuing care funding. Many callers are seeking refunds for care fees that have already been paid or want to find out if they are entitled to continuing care funding. This spate of enquiries is directly linked to the recent payout received from Pauline Hardinges from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT for fees she had wrongly paid for her mother’s care. Despite being asked by the PCT to sign a confidentiality agreement, Mrs Hardinges decided to speak out to make others aware that they may be entitled to free care or to reclaim costs. Cheselden Managing Director, Colin Ball, comments: ‘It’s great that more people are finding out that they may be entitled to continuing care funding and that Mrs Hardinges’ experience is giving them the confidence to question their current or previous care arrangements. We urge anyone who thinks that they or a relative has wrongly paid, or is paying, for care that should be funded by the NHS to contact Cheselden straightaway so that we can review your case.’

To find out if you or a relative should be receiving continuing care funding, or if you are eligible for a refund of fees already paid, please complete Cheselden’s brief questionnaire so that we can assess your case free of charge and with no obligation to proceed. Or call us on 0845 659 1588.