The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is looking for people to join them and input into one of two in-person ‘Dilemma Cafes’. The cafes will take place on the afternoons of 13 March (Manchester) and 20 March (London), and those attending will be asked to share their unique perspectives, opinions and views to help improve the work of the PHSO, and public services, for the better. The Dilemma Cafes will be a type of discussion group, providing an opportunity for people to learn about ethical challenges and work together to help find solutions. Dilemma Cafes involve listening to a ..read more

Image courtesy of the Centre for Ageing Better age-positive image library If you think you should have been considered for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding but were not, it may be possible to request a retrospective review of these ‘previously unassessed periods of care’ (PUPoC) and receive a reimbursement of these costs. An assessment may be made for care that the individual has funded either in full or in part, and you can raise this with your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Click here to find your local ICB. An assessment for a Previously Unassessed Period of Care (PUPoC) may be u ..read more

Image courtesy of In-Press Photography via the Centre for Ageing Better age-positive image library If you think you should have been considered for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding but were not, it may be possible to request a retrospective assessment of these ‘previously unassessed periods of care’ (PUPoCs) and receive a reimbursement of these costs. An assessment may be made for care that the individual has funded either in full or in part and may be undertaken for those currently paying for their care, or for individuals who have passed away. Click here to read our article explaining ..read more

This week the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) released updated policy guidelines which aim to help those submitting requests for retrospective Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding by making clearer the application process from start to finish, and improving consistency in the way these applications are dealt with. The guidelines have been produced with input from member organisations of the CHC Alliance including Beacon, as well as other advocacy and healthcare professionals. Retrospective assessments for Previously Unassessed Periods of Care (PUPoCs) are accessible for individuals ..read more

Beacon is developing a web space with dedicated resources for health and social care professionals who work within the complex field of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). To help us develop resources which will offer the most support, we would be grateful if you would fill in this short survey relating to your work within CHC. We expect this survey to take around 10 minutes to complete, but you should feel free to contribute as much or as little time as you like. All responses are submitted anonymously. Click here to complete the survey. Please share this survey with others who work within NHS C ..read more

Kate’s mother Gill was assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and found not eligible. In the months and years following this assessment, the ICB periodically reviewed Gill’s needs and on each occasion concluded there had been no significant change and that therefore there was no need to re-consider her for CHC funding. With Beacon’s assistance, Kate appealed the original assessment decision and was successful at Independent Review (IR). However, the ICB stated they would only pay reimbursement up until the date of the first review. This constituted just 1 month of funding to be reimburse ..read more

Recently the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) made an adjustment to the terminology of paragraph 59 of the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare (NF). The new version of paragraph 59 states: In deciding whether a person has a primary health need, the ICB must consider whether the nursing or other health services required by that person are: a) where that person is, or is to be, accommodated in relevant premises, more than incidental or ancillary to the provision of accommodation which a social services authority is, or would be but for a person’s means, under a duty to pr ..read more

6 – 11 November 2023 is Advocacy Awareness Week and across the UK organisations have been getting involved by running events, producing resources, and opening up important conversations on the topic. At Beacon we’ve been reflecting on what we understand by the term ‘advocacy’ – what it is, why it’s important, and what its role is in relation to NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI), organisers of the Advocacy Awareness Week initiative, say: “Independent advocacy is a powerful mechanism of support that enables people to say what they want, secure t ..read more

Beacon is currently recruiting for the following positions: Business Development Executive, Executive Assistant, and Information Officer. The role of the Business Development Executive is to handle new business enquiries from prospective clients, discussing the most appropriate service to meet the clients’ needs, delivering the sales process, and supporting the team manager. The role of the Executive Assistant is to support the senior team to ensure that company goals and objectives are accomplished and operations run efficiently. The successful candidate will develop, maintain and refine inte ..read more

Image courtesy of Peter Kindersley via the Centre for Ageing Better age-positive image library Healthwatch Oxfordshire wants to hear about your experience of applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding and support. The county’s independent health and care watchdog is looking for people in the area willing to share their stories so it can highlight what is working well and what could be better. It wants to hear from those who have been successful in their applications for CHC funding, as well as those who have not. Stories can be shared via Zoom, phone or face to face. Healthwatch Oxfo ..read more