Just a rant

[GeorgeMMXVI]

Dear All,

I apologise now for the rant, but I'm so frustrated.

I finally managed to get Mum's nursing home to complete a Continuing Healthcare Checklist in February after asking for this since August 2023. The checklist triggered a full assessment and Mum was subsequently refused funding. As Mum has declined significantly since the assessment, I requested another checklist was completed. The ICB have contacted the nursing home and challenged and downgraded their scores. The response was "can she really have deteriorated that much in 6 months?"

So now because of the change in scores is not enough to trigger another full assessment. I read through the outcome of the previous assessment and realised I could appeal the original decision within a six month window of the date of the outcome letter. So this is where I'm at. I'm just so frustrated that she received a positive checklist six months ago but not now.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Nicki xx

[Millidog]

I'm sorry to hear this and wish you much luck in your quest. I have no experience of care homes but do have of carers painting a more positive picture more focused on demonstrating how well they do the job and downplaying incidents and accidents as my husband gained chc for care at home. What I would urge you to do is get involved fully in the process yourself - use the PSPA info on chc, and both Beacon and Care to be Different websites which offer much info on the right things to say and terminology to use and produce as much evidence, examples, specific issues, risks and dangers that you can for each of the criteria and show how it continues to meet and now exceed previous ratings They have info on checklist, DST assessment and appeals. Hope this helps a little and I'm sure others on here will be able to offer mire specific advice.

[CJFreckles]

Hi there so sorry to read this. ICBs and the chc funding are a nightmare. I'd follow the advice of Millidog and be involved. Keep diaries and timelines of all decline. Photos of injuries from falls, what's app message or messages between you and the care home, emails between yourself and medical team. Also the icb is actually not allowed to downgrade the scores unless it is referred back to the multi disciplinary team. Really, it should not just be the care home staff involved. You should have someone from your mom's medical team present, a social worker and anyone else who can help give evidence and explain. But the people to help you support your moms case have to be those who you can trust and you know are I your corner.

If your mom is deteriorating quickly, is she being referred for hospice care? The only reason I have secured a fast track re-assement for my dad is because he now is under hospice care and his hospice worker is fabulous. Otherwise we would be waiting 5 months for a new assement- and we don't have that time sadly. I also did a 21 page document where I completely pulled apart the chc decision to not award my dad's funding which included highlighting how they broke their own rules such as not sending it back to the MUlti disciplinary team if the scores were not agreed with. I'm more then happy to share this with you. I'd also recommend talking to beacon who are brilliant and offer a few hours free advice.

Keeping everything crossed for you x

[Scottoppy]

Keep at it George, remember, 'the squeaky wheel get he grease'. It can be very trying to get CHC funding but the effort is worth it. Look on the web , there are many sites giving advise on how to get through a CHC assessment with the right result. PSP is difficult condition as, the somewhat blunt instrument that is the DST criteria, it does not hit all the high spots at once. Keep at it and best wishes.

[MullerRice]

You certainly don't need to apologise for a rant on here - that is partly what this forum is for (my late Mum taught me never use a preposition to end a sentance with!). I am very sorry to hear of your troubles, I wish you well in overcoming them..

[Independenceday]

My wonderful dad passed away yesterday in a care home, he had previously been refused CHC funding, but after going in respite transferred to the care home and granted CHC funding for 6 weeks, I emailed them last week for it in writing that he can continue on the funding but was emailed stating they needed to do another assessment even though he was unable to move & talk properly, shocking treatment for end of life

[messier in reply to Independenceday]

So sorry for your loss Independenceday.