Media highlights withdrawal of care funding for war hero

2010-01-20 23:03:56

The case of John Mejor, 88, whose continuing care funding was recently withdrawn by NHS Devon, has attracted nationwide media interest. Originally reported in the Exmouth Journal, Mr Mejor’s situation has since been highlighted by several national media including the Daily Mail, Radio 4 and Five Live. Mr Mejor, who served as a Spitfire pilot in World War 2, was assessed as eligible for continuing care 18 months ago. As well as suffering from dementia and diabetes, he suffered a series of strokes which left him too ill for his family to cope with his care, so he moved into a nearby care home where he received full funding. However, his condition has now been reassessed and although there has been no significant improvement, he is now considered ineligible for continuing care – against the advice of his GP. Although his family appealing against the decision, they are concerned that if they lose, they will have to sell the home where his wife still lives in order to cover the £800 weekly cost of care. Mr Mejor’s daughter Sally Mejor, comments: ‘At no point was it said there would be any timeframe or, that should his condition improve, even slightly, it would be pulled from us. If there was plenty of money to cover it, I would be willing and happy to pay. But because there isn’t, I have to stand up for him.’ Mr Mejor’s plight has now been taken up by his MP, Hugo Swire, who has criticised the lack of support for dementia sufferers in the Commons, commenting: ‘Dementia was to be made a 'national priority' but this has simply not turned out to be the case…An 88-year-old former spitfire pilot who has served both his country and community, suffers from the condition and may now be forced to sell his home following the threatened withdrawal of full funding.’