Call on Government to make care fair for older people

Tonight's programme is expected to highlight the grim reality that thousands of frail, older people are being forced to pay for care that should be provided free by the NHS and as a result many have to sell their homes.

Age Concern, the Alzheimer's Society, Help the Aged and the Royal College of Nursing are campaigning for the Department of Health to issue clear and effective guidance on fully funded NHS care and have today launched their own 'Guide to Fully Funded NHS Care' which helps people better understand the issue.

Despite numerous criticisms from the Health Select Committee the system remains unfair and confusing. Many people with serious health conditions do not realise they may be eligible for fully funded NHS care. Professionals working in the Health Service find the current system of funding confusing. In addition differences in eligibility criteria and the way they are applied means that a postcode lottery still exists.

The continuing criticism of the system was highlighted again at the beginning of this year in the Grogan case1. The Court ruled that the South East London Strategic Health Authority eligibility criteria was fatally flawed and criticised the Department of Health for not giving a clear steer to the local NHS and social services.

BBC online received 60,000 hits following the last Panorama investigation into the issue. Unfortunately, one year later, the Department of Health has done little to address the problem. From today, people visiting the programme's site will be able to download the guide which gives practical advice on finding out if you're eligible for fully funded NHS care. The guide will also be available on each organisation's website or by contacting them directly.

Today leading members of the coalition issued the following statements:

Jonathan Ellis, policy manager at Help the Aged:

'There is a real confusion over who pays for what care and the artificial distinction between health and social care needs only adds to this sense of uncertainty. Many older people are being caught in a trap, led to believe that the State is paying for their care when in fact they are ending up out of pocket.

It makes no sense that the National Health Service should operate in such different ways in different parts of the country. It's an unjust and inconsistent way of treating some of the most vulnerable members of our society who are in need of long-term care.'

Dr Beverly Malone, general secretary, Royal College of Nursing:

'We hope this new guidance will help empower nurses, patients and their families to navigate the complex system of continuing care funding.

The RCN gave evidence to the High Court in the Grogan case highlighting how nurses are struggling to implement the two stage process for assessing continuing care health needs in a way that is clear and fair.

We are delighted that we have been able to work in partnership with Age Concern, the Alzheimers Society and Help the Aged in launching this important joint publication.'

Neil Hunt, chief executive, Alzheimer's Society:

'What happened to 'free at the point of delivery' - the ethos underpinning the formation of the NHS? Thousands of people with dementia and their loved ones are now victims of a system that is neither delivering nor free but rapaciously taking their last pennies.

Gordon Lishman, Director-General, Age Concern:

'Every year thousands of the sickest people are being forced to navigate through a horrendously bureaucratic system. It leaves many not getting their entitlement to fully funded NHS care. The Government needs to act now and reform the system to stop this unfairness and injustice.'

For more information, contact Help the Aged, telephone 020 7239 1940.

Notes for editors

• Maureen Grogan from South East London successfully challenged a decision by Bexley NHS Trust that she was not entitled to full NHS funding. Mrs Grogan's £100,000 a year fees meant that she was forced to sell her house to pay for care in a nursing home . She won a High Court ruling in January this year, where the trust was found to have applied flawed criteria and was urged to reconsider its decision.