This consultation document seeks views on the Government’s proposals for piloting direct payments for health care. This is part of the wider pilot programme to explore personal health budgets announced in High Quality Care For All.
Personal health budgets are intended to help create a more personalised NHS, by giving people more control over their care. PCTs are already able to offer personal budgets that do not involve giving money directly to individuals. The Health Bill, which has now completed its main Parliamentary stages, would extend these options by providing power to allow direct payments, where the individual would be given the money to buy their own health care as agreed in a care-plan.
The consultation document describes how we intend to use the power in the Bill to make regulations to enable pilot sites to test direct payments.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_107425
PDF version London has a higher proportion of people living with HIV than any other city in the UK. A third of people living with HIV do not know that they are infected. Although there are drugs that prevent the progression of HIV, there is no cure and no vaccine to prevent its spread. HIV is no longer seen as an issue of concern for the public and the level of HIV continues to rise. It is expected that the total number of new diagnoses for 2003 will be the highest ever.
There is an acute need for the Government and health service to refocus their priorities and embark on a wide ranging educational programme to raise awareness of the HIV pandemic. The experience of living with HIV in London is a challenging one, not only in terms of living with a long-term, life threatening condition, but also in overcoming barriers and learning to negotiate access to appropriate services and support. The report outlines ways in which these services could be better provided.
http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/health/hiv_report.pdf
Report Number: 6
Report to: Health & Public Services Committee
Date: 9 November 2004
Report of: Director of Secretariat
About direct payments
Direct payments are local council payments for people who have been assessed as needing help from social services, and who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the local council.
A person must be able to give their consent to receiving direct payments and be able to manage them even if they need help to do this on a day-to-day basis.
Eligibility
If you already receive social services
Your local council must offer you the option of direct payments in place of the services you currently receive. There are some limited circumstances where you are not given this choice. Your council will be able to tell you about these.
If you are not receiving social services
To get direct payments, you need to contact your local council to ask them to assess your needs. Social services - and therefore direct payments - are normally available if you are:
- disabled and aged 16 or over
- a carer aged 16 or over, including people with parental responsibility for a disabled child
- an older person
If you have been refused social services
If your local council has decided that you do not need social care services, it will not offer you direct payments. If you think your needs or circumstances have now changed, ask your council for a new assessment.
How much you can get
The amount you receive will depend on the assessment your council makes of your needs.
How it is paid
Direct payments are made directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account.
If you need someone who cares for you to collect your money, or you are registered blind, payment can be made by sending a cheque which can be cashed at the Post Office.
How to apply for direct payments
If you already get services, ask your local council about direct payments.
If you are applying for services for the first time, your social worker should discuss the direct payments option with you when they assess your care needs.
Use the link below to search for your local council website where you can find out more or apply online. Please note that this service is only available for English councils.
What you can use direct payments for
The money is for you to use to pay for the services and equipment which will meet the needs the local council has assessed you as having.
As a general principle, councils should let you to choose how best to meet your assessed needs as long as they are satisfied that agreed support arrangements are being met.
What you cannot use direct payments for
You cannot use direct payments to pay for permanent residential accommodation - but you may be able to use direct payments to pay for occasional short periods in residential accommodation, if your council agrees that is what you need.
Unless your council decides that exceptional circumstances make it necessary, you cannot use direct payments to pay for a service from:
- your spouse (husband or wife)
- your civil partner
- a partner with whom you live as a couple
- a close relative with whom you live, or the spouse or partner of that close relative
Record keeping
If you receive direct payments, you will need to account for the money you spend. Your council will tell you what records you need to keep and what information you will be expected to provide. Examples include timesheets signed by personal assistants, or receipts for services from agencies.
The council has to be satisfied that the needs for which it is giving you direct payments are being met. They should tell you how they will go about this. This may involve a visit to your home.
Carers and direct payments
If you are a carer aged 16 or over, you may be eligible for direct payments for yourself.
You cannot use direct payments to buy services for the person you care for. They can only be spent on getting the support you, as a carer, have been assessed as needing.
Effect on other benefits
Direct payments are not a replacement of income and therefore do not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
What to do if your circumstances change
If your social services needs change
If your needs change, contact your local council as soon as possible so that they can reassess the level of payments you require. It does not matter whether the changes are long- or short-term.
For example, if you do not need to spend the full amount because your condition improves temporarily, or you go into hospital, they may need to adjust your payments.
If you do not want to continue with direct payments
If you decide you do not want to continue, your council will arrange services instead. If the council decides you cannot manage with direct payments, it might decide to stop making direct payments and provide services instead.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/financialsupport/DG_10016128
Hackney Housing Strategy 2010-2015
Hackney Council is currently working on its housing strategy for 2010-2015. Members of public and interested groups have the opportunity to comment and shape this strategy. Find out more. Ends 08/01/2010
> Have your say
Consultation North East London
A consultation on how health services in north east London could be improved is now underway and will continue until 8 March 2010.
Over recent months there has been extensive engagement with clinicians and NHS staff, patients and the public, across the whole area. Primary care trusts (PCTs) and hospitals have led this work.
During consultation, you can have your say in a variety of ways:
• A consultation document and questionnaire is available on this website.
• There will be public meetings and roadshows in your local area, to ensure you have an opportunity to hear about the proposals. We will produce consultation materials in a variety of formats to meet the needs of our diverse audience; this will include different languages, Braille and ‘easy-read’ for people with learning disabilities. You should also expect to see adverts in your local newspapers and on websites.
A ‘People’s platform’ has been established to ensure members of the public can inform and influence consultation planning and activity read more.
http://www.health4nel.nhs.uk/consultation/