This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Free personal care on track for July 1st
18/06/2002
Plans for the implementation of free personal and
nursing care on July 1 are on track, it was announced
today.
Deputy Health Minister Frank McAveety made the
announcement during a visit to the Wellgate Day Centre in
Dundee where he had the opportunity to meet people with
dementia who will benefit from the introduction of free
personal care.
The Minister also met front line staff who have been
involved in introducing the policy. He took the opportunity
to thank staff for their efforts. He said:
"This is the largest single investment in older people's
services and I would like to thank the staff for the
investment in time and effort they have put in to ensure
this policy becomes a reality for our older people across
Scotland.
"They have reviewed the charges of over 70,000 people,
taken hundreds of enquiries and spoken to older people
about their entitlements. They are the ones who are putting
in place secure foundations for care services for our older
people and I am grateful for their hard work and
effort.
"Implementation is on track across local authorities and
will be effective and sustainable. Although we cannot rule
out that every case will be ready by 1 July all indications
are that the assessment process is going well. Significant
numbers of people are coming forward to discuss their needs
and entitlements.
"This has been aided by the public information campaign
which was started in April. Advertising appeared in local
and national newspapers and leaflets were available through
GP surgeries, social work offices, care homes and other
outlets. Relevant voluntary organisations have also been
playing their part in providing information and advice.
"There has been widespread support for free personal
care - the people wanted it, the Scottish Parliament voted
for it and the Executive has delivered it.
"We have delivered free personal care for older people
and ensured that nursing care is finally free for all who
need it. From frail, older people to those suffering from
dementia or requiring long term care because of a stroke.
This valuable care will be provided free in homes as well
as at home. It will be based on an individual's care needs
and marks a huge step forward in fairer charging for care
services.
"Everyone recognises that society is getting older. More
of us are surviving further into old age. The structures of
the past will not meet the needs of the future and this
move towards increased equity of provision of care is
recognition of that fact.
"Supporting more older people to be cared for in their
own homes, expanding community care services, abolishing
charges for personal care at home, and delivering the level
of funding recommended by the Care Development Group to
deliver free personal and nursing care in care homes will
happen. It will happen because it is a promise we made to
Scotland's pensioners, and because we believe it is the
right thing to do."
Jim Jackson Chief Executive Alzheimer Scotland - Action
on Dementia welcomed the Deputy Health Minister's
statement.
" Free personal care is the right policy for people with
Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia because
they will no longer have to pay for the personal care they
require as a consequence of their illness. With the
addition of increased funding for home support services
this is a good example of the Scottish Executive doing more
for people with dementia than their counterparts south of
the border. "
There will be a £250 million package over two years
which will include:
- The removal of all charges for personal care in the
community
- For those in a care home who are currently
self-funding, a flat rate payment of £145 a week for
personal care and for those needing nursing care an
additional a week £65 a week. These sums reflect the
current average costs for those in similar
circumstances who costs are currently paid for from the
public purse.
- Additional funding for local authorities to
continue to offer more care in people's homes by
improving the standard and availability of the wide
range of services that can maintain older people'
independence and enable them to stay home longer.
Personal care can include:
- Personal hygiene such as bathing, showering, hair
washing and oral hygiene;
- Continence management such as help with the toilet
and skin care;
- Food and diet including assistance with eating and
special diets;
- Help with immobility;
- Counselling and support services;
- Simple treatments such as assistance with
medication, application of creams and dressings;
and
- Personal assistance such as help with dressing and
assistance to get up and go to bed
The NHS freephone helpline 0800 224488 is available to
give further information about free personal and nursing
care.