Ombudsman report proves need for radical overhaul

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says,

'Today's report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman highlights the catastrophic muddle of Government policy on who pays for care. Not only have thousands of people have been wrongly charged for care, in addition, any restitution that they have received is likely to fall far short of the true costs incurred by thousands of families in the UK.

Instead of wasting time and money trying to paper over the cracks of a defunct system, it is time for the Government to lead a national debate on who pays for care. We need a more equitable settlement that gives people a clear understanding of their rights. Currently no one knows.

The Ombudsman is right to highlight the financial and emotional impact that the current policy of charging for care has on people. Someone with Alzheimer's disease who cannot eat, drink or use the toilet because their brain is dying can do without patronising assessments on whether they need care because of their medical condition. This is the ludicrous situation that people with dementia and their families find themselves in every day.

It is time the NHS and social care worked together to promote access to services rather than creating barriers and it is time we had a debate on this issue to fix the problem once and for all. In the meantime, PCT's should ensure families are fully compensated.'

For more information, contact the Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• A more detailed overview of the Alzheimer's Society response is available by calling 020 7423 3595. Interviews are also available on request
• The Alzheimer's Society is calling for a national debate on who pays for care.
• Advice and a guide to challenging an assessment of NHS continuing care can be found on the continuing care page of our website.
• Continuing care or fully funded NHS care is care given over an extended period of time, as a result of disability, accident, or illness. It may address physical and mental needs and therefore require services from both the NHS and/or social care which are funded separately.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 700,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.