News story

2nd October 2001

Help With Nursing Costs Is "Inadequate" Says MP

Northavon MP Steve Webb has condemned as “inadequate” new rules which mean that the Government will now pay part of the cost of nursing care for elderly people. From October 1st, elderly people in England receiving nursing care will have their fees reduced by between £35 and £110 per week according to the amount of care that they need. However, “personal care” such as help with bathing, dressing or going to the toilet will still be charged for. Local MP Steve Webb, who has campaigned against the way that elderly people can be forced to sell their homes to pay for care, said:

“These changes simply do not go far enough. Many elderly people will still have to sell their homes to pay for care costs which can still run into hundreds of pounds per week. The new system will be full of anomalies. Someone who needs help with washing or dressing will get it free in a hospital but will be charged in a nursing home. Homes will have to make arbitrary distinctions between the “nursing” care that they give and the “personal” care that they give, and this will create yet more bureaucracy and unfairness. We do not deny people access to free health care simply because they have savings or property, and in the same way we should not deny people access to the care that they need in old age.”

The MP said he would continue to press the Government to adopt the policy being followed in Scotland where all care costs will be free.

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