Issuu

A guide to care and independent living Warrington &

Leaving hospital

What’s next?

NHS continuing healthcare

Who’s eligible?

A well-appointed, family-run care residence in one of Cheshire’s most picturesque villages

The Old Rectory is a beautifully restored residence that blends comfort, care, and community. Originally a historic rectory, the building has been thoughtfully renovated and continuously improved to maintain its exceptionally high standards of accommodation.

As a family-owned home deeply rooted in the local community, The Old Rectory prides itself on providing compassionate, personalised care. The home has achieved a Good rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and has been recognised as one of the Top 20 Recommended Care Homes in the North West of England for the past five years.

Accommodation

• 38 tastefully furnished bedrooms, many with ensuite or vanity facilities

• Companion rooms available for couples or friends

• Scenic views overlooking the village, Bridgewater Canal, and gardens

• Recently renovated communal areas providing bright and welcoming shared spaces

Care and Services

• 24-hour nursing and healthcare staff

• Regular visits from local GPs

• Weekly physiotherapy-led exercise programme

• Engaging activity schedule for residents

• Full laundry service

• On-site hairdressing and nail care

• Assisted transport for appointments

• Wheelchair-accessible vehicle available for family use

Church Lane, Grappenhall, Warrington, WA4 3EP

Tel: 01925 604611

Email: hello@orncare.co.uk www.orncare.co.uk

We score 9.8/10

The Care Quality Commission is here to make sure health and adult social care services including hospitals, home and residential care as well as GPs in England provide people with safe, effective, high-quality care. We publish independent inspection reports and ratings about services – information you can use when you’re choosing care for yourself, or a loved one.

You can use our website to search for services you might be interested in by geographical area, or by specialism. For example, a care home that might offer specialist care for someone who has dementia. We also welcome your feedback on the care you have received – good or bad. We use this information to help inform our inspections and can alert authorities including local social services, if there are safeguarding concerns about care being provided.

You can visit our website at www.cqc.org.uk to find our inspection reports, or share an experience of care. You can also call us to share an experience of care on 03000 61 61 61.

Here are some tips to help you choose your care.

1 The Care Quality Commission (CQC) registers all care homes and home care agencies. You can find out which ones support specific groups of people, such as people with a learning disability or those living with dementia.

2 CQC’s Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, always uses ‘The Mum Test’: is a care home safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs and well-led? In other words, is it good enough for my Mum (or anyone else I love and care for)?

Look for care homes and home care agencies where the staff involve people who use services and their families and carers, and treat individuals with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect

Whether you are being cared for in your own home or in a residential setting, the staff looking after you need to be skilled, kind and supportive They should also be capable and confident in dealing with your particular needs. You should always feel that their support is helping you to live the life you want to.

5 A care home will be a home for you or your loved one. Residents should be treated as individuals with their likes and dislikes taken into account. Think about whether a home is close enough to family, friends, and community facilities

Look at how well-led and managed a home is. What does it have in place to ensure that it delivers high quality care? Does it promote meaningful

If you or a loved one needs help with day-today care, you can contact your local council’s social services department. They will ‘make an assessment of your needs’ and depending on circumstances, may be able to help you access financial help. For more advice visit Age UK’s website www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care.

or personal assistant through

Your local social services department should be able to provide details of approved agencies.

Safeguarding adults who receive social care is everybody’s business. If you are concerned about the safety of a loved one receiving care, contact the service provider in the first instance. You can also contact social services at your local council. If you feel a crime has been committed, contact the police. You can share your safeguarding concerns with us on our website or contact our National Customer Services on 03000 616161.

You can visit our website at www.cqc.org.uk to find our inspection reports, or share an experience of care. You can also call us to share an experience of care on 03000 61 61 61.

Here are some tips to help you choose your care.

1 If you are new to an area you can find details of local GP services such as doctors’ practices, out-of-hours services and walkin centres in our online directory of care services www.cqc.org.uk/content/doctorsgps

2 You can search any of these services by the name of the service, a place name or your postcode at www.cqc.org.uk

After an inspection, CQC publishes its findings in a report on its website. You can use these reports to check and compare services in your area

There are already over 1,000 reports about GP practices published on the CQC website.

5 CQC launched its new-style inspection reports for GPs – looking at the five key areas SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIVE and WELLLED – you can use the reports to compare local GPs and choose services.

You can also use these new style inspection reports to find out more about local services and choose the one that is best for your needs. 6

CQC rates all GPs to help people make choices about where they get treatment. This will be on a four-point scale:

CQC will also look at how specific population groups are treated and give a rating. For instance how well they serve: Mothers, children and young people, vulnerable older people (over 75s) and people with long-term conditions People will be able to choose a GP service that rates highly on the areas that matter to them.

We welcome your feedback (good and bad) on the services you, or a loved one, receives from your GP. You can share information with us online at http://www.cqc.org.uk/share-yourexperience-finder or call us on 03000 61 61 61.

03000 616161 • Web: www.cqc.org.uk

Hospital and community trusts officially join together

Integrating community and hospital services provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

On 1 April 2026, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals and Bridgewater Community Healthcare officially came together as one organisation: North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).

As a single organisation with almost 6,500 dedicated and skilled staff, the trust delivers hospital and community services for those living in Warrington, Halton and the surrounding areas.

By bringing hospital and community services together, care will be more joined up and easier to access, with services delivered in the right place at the right time, providing a better healthcare service for the 340,000 residents who live across the boroughs.

Nikhil Khashu, chief executive of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted to announce the formalisation of our integrated trust and to celebrate this fantastic achievement. It is an important step in continuing to improve healthcare across Warrington and Halton.

You may notice some small changes initially, such as the new trust name on patient letters or our website, but these will not affect the level of service or care you receive.

Our vision is to deliver the very best healthcare for everyone.

“Our vision is to deliver the very best healthcare for everyone. As we move forward, we’ll continue to strengthen our services to deliver care that meets the evolving needs of our patients and is sustainable for the future. This is just the beginning of our exciting new chapter, and we look forward to working together to serve our communities as one.”

If you are a patient or service user, you will continue to receive the same care and support in the same locations. Teams will contact you in the same way and appointment processes will remain unchanged. The names of Warrington Hospital, Halton Hospital and clinic and community sites will stay the same.

By joining up hospital and community teams, people can expect to see new and improved ways of providing services, as soon as it is clinically possible, with better use of digital tools and more choice in how to access care and support – helping to reduce unnecessary hospital visits, provide a better experience and improve health outcomes.

To find out more about the trust and its integration programme, Better Care Together, visit www.northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk

Chief executive, Nikhil Khashu, with North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust staff

This year more than 500 nominations were submitted for the awards.

Incredible NHS staff from across Warrington and Halton were honoured at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust’s first Thank You Awards, held in May.

The inspiring evening was filled with admiration and praise as individuals and teams came together to celebrate the contributions and achievements of healthcare colleagues over the past 12 months.

This year more than 500 nominations were submitted for the awards, with winners crowned across 12 categories.

Winners at the event included the Paediatric Respiratory Team and the Medical Engineering Team, who collected the Clinical and Non-Clinical Team of the Year Awards, and Dr Lalitha Chinnappan, who was recognised with the Outstanding Achievement Award by Nikhil Khashu, chief executive.

Award winners at the North Cheshire and Mersey Thank You Awards 2025-26

You can read more about the winners on the North Cheshire and Mersey website: https://northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk/news/annualtrust-award-ceremony-recognises-extraordinaryhealthcare-stars/

Annual trust awards ceremony recognises extraordinary healthcare stars Support your local hospitals

For three decades, our Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals’ Charity (WHH Charity) has provided additional comforts, care and experiences for patients and their families, beyond that which the NHS can provide.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we can improve patient environments, fund additional equipment and facilities, and provide complementary services that enhance the overall patient experience.

There are lots of ways you can get involved and give back to your local hospitals, including supporting ongoing fundraising campaigns, making a one-off donation, creating a personal tribute page to celebrate the life of a loved one or leaving a lasting legacy.

For more information on our charity and all the ways your support can make a difference please visit www.whhcharity.org.uk or

contact our fundraising team by email at whh.charity@nhs.net or call on 01925 662666.

You can also pop in and see the charity team in Warrington Hospital main entrance between Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Staying well over the summer months

As we welcome the summer months, here are some top tips from your local health service to support your health and wellbeing.

Top tips for coping in hot weather

1. Keep out of the heat if you can – if you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes.

2. Cool yourself down – have cold food and drinks, avoid caffeine, alcohol and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.

3. Keep your living space cool – close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down.

Order repeat prescriptions

Don’t wait for your prescription to run out before making a request.

You can order your repeat prescriptions before you run out through your GP, local pharmacy or NHSapproved apps.

Ensure your vaccinations are up to date

Vaccinations are the best way to help yourself stay well year-round.

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus. This is recommended for adults aged 75 and over.

The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It’s available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illnesses like meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. It is recommended for adults aged 65 and over.

Unlike some vaccines (such a flu and COVID-19) these vaccines can be given year-round.

Contact your GP for more information.

Vaccines are the best way to help yourself stay well yearround.

Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses.

Know where to get treatment

If you fall ill or are worried about your health please don’t delay, your local NHS wants to see you.

If it’s urgent but not a life-threatening emergency contact NHS 111 online or call 111. NHS 111 is a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can help if you think you need medical help fast, think you need to go to the Emergency Department (A&E) or aren’t sure which service is right for you.

Pharmacies

Your local pharmacy can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as colds, hayfever, bug bites and aches and pains. They can suggest treatments that do not need a prescription.

Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.

If a pharmacist cannot help you, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.

Urgent Treatment Centres

Urgent Treatment Centres have an x-ray department and can treat a range of conditions that require urgent treatment, but are not life-threatening such as:

• minor cuts or wounds

• bites, stings, rashes and allergic reactions

• minor burns and scalds

• sprains, strains and joint pains

• ear or eye injuries and infections

NHS Urgent Treatment Centres in Runcorn and Widnes are open from 8am to 9pm, seven days a week, 365 days are year (including bank holidays) but please arrive before 8pm to allow time to be seen before closing.

The centres in our area also provide arrival time slots for patients who contact NHS 111.

Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre

Nightingale Building, Hospital Way

Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 2DA Telephone: 01928 753408

Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre

Health Care Resource Centre

Oaks Place, Caldwell Road

Widnes WA8 7GD Telephone: 0151 495 5000

You can access a range of FREE help and support by visiting your local Talking Point, which you’ll find in communities across Warrington.

Simply pop in for a chat – no appointment needed –and a member of the friendly team will be on-hand to give you confidential one-to-one advice.

How we can help you TALKING POINT

Carer support

Loneliness or social isolation

Carer support

Housing and energy advice

Loneliness or social isolation

Lifestyle support and community activities

Transport and travel

Employment and volunteering opportunities

Transport and travel

Cost of living Benefits support

Where

Food / shopping support

Lifestyle support and community activities

Food / shopping support

Employment and volunteering opportunities

Cost of living Benefits support

Mobility and adaptions advice

to find your nearest Talking Point

No appointment needed

Talking Points take place Monday to Friday at venues across Warrington including Penketh, Birchwood and the town centre.

? just drop in and make the most of your support No appointment needed

Mobility and adaptions advice

Cost of living Benefits support

Housing and energy advice ? just drop in and make the most of your support

livingwellwarrington.org/talking-points

No appointment needed

Mobility and adaptions advice

? just drop in and make the most of your support

Living Well in Warrington

In Warrington, residents can access a range of health and wellbeing information, advice and support through Living Well.

Visit the Living Well Hub

Want to speak to someone in person about your health and wellbeing? The Living Well Hub on Horsemarket Street in the town centre is a welcoming and fully accessible facility for you to drop in and get advice and support.

At the Hub, you’ll find information and services designed to support you in living a healthier, happier and more independent life. It is home to over 35 organisations and more than 350 staff, providing a range of NHS and non-clinical services all under one roof.

Drop in at the Hub for:

• Advice and information

• Help with creating an individual plan for improving your personal health and wellbeing

• A wide range of support that you may benefit from

We’re open 9am-5pm weekdays (closed from 1pm on Thursdays), and until 8pm on Mondays and Wednesday for pre-arranged appointments.

Photos courtesy of John Bean

NHS healthcarecontinuing

Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healthcare.

Where can NHS continuing healthcare be provided?

NHS continuing healthcare can be provided in a variety of settings outside hospital, such as in your own home or in a care home.

Am I eligible for NHS continuing healthcare?

NHS continuing healthcare is for adults. Children and young people may receive a “continuing care package” if they have needs arising from disability, accident or illness that cannot be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.

Find out more about the children and young people’s continuing care national framework on GOV.UK

You should be fully involved in the assessment process and kept informed, and have your views about your needs and support taken into account. Carers and family members should also be consulted where appropriate.

A decision about eligibility for a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare should usually be made within 28 days of an initial assessment or request for a full assessment.

If you are not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to your local council who can discuss with you whether you may be eligible for support from them.

If you still have some health needs then the NHS may pay for part of the package of support. This is sometimes known as a “joint package” of care.

Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition.

To be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you must be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals (a multidisciplinary team). The team will look at all your care needs and relate them to:

• what help you need

• how complex your needs are

• how intense your needs can be

• how unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care is not provided at the right time

Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition. If your needs change then your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare may change.

Information and advice

The process involved in NHS continuing healthcare assessments can be complex. An organisation called Beacon gives free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare.

Visit the Beacon website or call the free helpline on 0345 548 0300.

NHS continuing healthcare assessments

Integrated care boards, known as ICBs (the NHS organisations that commission local health services), must assess you for NHS continuing healthcare if it seems that you may need it.

For most people, there’s an initial checklist assessment, which is used to decide if you need a full assessment. However, if you need care urgently – for example, if you’re terminally ill – your assessment may be fast-tracked.

Being referred for a full assessment does not necessarily mean you’ll be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The purpose of the checklist is to enable anyone who might be eligible to have the opportunity for a full assessment.

The professional(s) completing the checklist should record in writing the reasons for their decision, and sign and date it. You should be given a copy of the completed checklist.

For most people, there’s an initial checklist assessment, which is used to decide if you need a full assessment.

Initial assessment for NHS continuing healthcare

The initial checklist assessment can be completed by a nurse, doctor, other healthcare professional or social worker. You should be told that you’re being assessed, and what the assessment involves.

Depending on the outcome of the checklist, you’ll either be told that you do not meet the criteria for a full assessment of NHS continuing healthcare and are therefore not eligible, or you’ll be referred for a full assessment of eligibility.

You can download a blank copy of the NHS continuing healthcare checklist from GOV.UK

Full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare

Full assessments for NHS continuing healthcare are undertaken by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) made up of a minimum of 2 professionals from different healthcare professions. The MDT should usually include both health and social care professionals who are already involved in your care.

You should be informed who is co-ordinating the NHS continuing healthcare assessment.

The team’s assessment will consider your needs under the following headings:

• breathing

• nutrition (food and drink)

• continence

• skin (including wounds and ulcers)

• mobility

• communication

• psychological and emotional needs

• cognition (understanding)

• behaviour

• drug therapies and medicine

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the next stage is to arrange a care and support package that meets your assessed needs.

• altered states of consciousness

• other significant care needs

These needs are given a weighting marked “priority”, “severe”, “high”, “moderate”, “low” or “no needs”.

If you have at least 1 priority need, or severe needs in at least 2 areas, you can usually expect to be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

You may also be eligible if you have a severe need in 1 area plus a number of other needs, or a number of high or moderate needs, depending on their nature, intensity, complexity or unpredictability.

In all cases, the overall need, and interactions between needs, will be taken into account, together with evidence from risk assessments, in deciding whether NHS continuing healthcare should be provided.

The assessment should take into account your views and the views of any carers you have. You should be given a copy of the decision documents, along with clear reasons for the decision.

You can download a blank copy of the NHS continuing healthcare decision support tool from GOV.UK

Fast-track assessment for NHS continuing healthcare

If your health is deteriorating quickly and you’re nearing the end of your life, you should be considered for the NHS continuing healthcare fast-track pathway, so that an appropriate care and support package can be put in place as soon as possible – usually within 48 hours.

Care and support planning

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the next stage is to arrange a care and support package that meets your assessed needs.

Depending on your situation, different options could be suitable, including support in your own home and the option of a personal health budget.

If it’s agreed that a care home is the best option for you, there could be more than 1 local care home that’s suitable.

Your ICB should work collaboratively with you and consider your views when agreeing your care and support package and the setting where it will be provided. However, they can also take other factors into account, such as the cost and value for money of different options.

If your needs have changed, the review will also consider whether you’re still eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

NHS continuing healthcare reviews

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your needs and support package will normally be reviewed within 3 months and thereafter at least annually. This review will consider whether your existing care and support package meets your assessed needs. If your needs have changed, the review will also consider whether you’re still eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

Refunds for delays in NHS continuing healthcare funding

ICBs will normally make a decision about eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare within 28 days of getting a completed checklist or request for a full assessment, unless there are circumstances beyond its control.

If the ICB decides you’re eligible, but takes longer than 28 days to decide this and the delay is unjustifiable,

they should refund any care costs from the 29th day until the date of their decision.

If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare

If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, but you’re assessed as requiring nursing care in a care home (in other words, a care home that’s registered to provide nursing care) you’ll be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.

This means that the NHS will pay a contribution towards the cost of your registered nursing care. NHS-funded nursing care is available irrespective of who is funding the rest of the care home fees.

Find out more about NHS continuing healthcare from NHS England.

Frequently asked questions about NHS continuing healthcare

Q I have a local authority support package that works well. I’m now eligible for NHS continuing healthcare – will my support package change?

If you’re concerned about changes to your care package because of a move to NHS continuing healthcare, your ICB should talk to you about ways that it can give you as much choice and control as possible. This could include the use of a personal health budget, with 1 option being a “direct payment for healthcare”.

FAQ’s

Can I refuse an assessment for NHS continuing healthcare? If I refuse, will I be able to get services from my local authority?

Consent is not needed for completion of assessments (CHC Checklists, Decision Support Tools (inclusive of FNC by default) and Fast Track), or collation and sharing of information with:

• Care Teams

• Health and Social Care Staff

But consent is needed to share personal information collected for, and as part of, assessments (Checklist, Decision Support Tool (inclusive of FNC by default) and Fast Track) with third parties, such as family, friends or representatives, at the beginning of the process.

There is a legal limit to the types of services that a Local Authority can provide. If you have any concerns about being assessed for NHS continuing healthcare, the ICB should explore your reasons for this, and try to address your concerns.

If someone lacks the mental capacity to consent to sharing of information with third parties (other than Care Teams or Health and Social Care Staff), the principles of the Mental Capacity Act will apply and a best interests decision may be needed.

My relative is in a care home and has become eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The ICB says the fees charged by this care home are more than they would usually pay, and has proposed a move to a different care home. I think a move will have a negative effect on my relative. What can we do?

If there’s evidence that a move is likely to have a detrimental effect on your relative’s health or wellbeing, discuss this with the ICB. It will take your concerns into account when considering the most appropriate arrangements.

If the ICB decides to arrange an alternative placement, they should provide a reasonable choice of homes.

Q Is it possible to pay top-up fees for NHS continuing healthcare?

No, it is not possible to top up NHS continuing healthcare packages, like you can with local authority care packages.

The only way that NHS continuing healthcare packages can be topped up privately is if you pay for additional private services on top of the services you’re assessed as needing from the NHS. These private services should be provided by different staff and preferably in a different setting.

Personal budgets and direct payments

You’ll be given a personal budget to spend if your local council decide you’re eligible for help with any social care and support you need. You can request an assessment from the council to establish your needs.

The money in your personal budget can be paid to you, to help you make more decisions about how it’s spent. This is known as a direct payment. What is a personal budget?

Your personal budget is the amount of money your local council will pay towards any social care and support you need.

The amount of money in your personal budget is decided by your local council after a needs assessment to work out:

• what kind of care and support you need

• how much it will cost

• how much you’re able to afford yourself

If you’re a carer, you may be entitled to receive a personal budget after having a carer’s assessment to see what might help make your life easier.

Carers and personal budgets

If you’re a carer, you may be entitled to receive a personal budget after having a carer’s assessment to see what might help make your life easier.

A carer’s assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one.

Choosing how to receive your personal budget

You can ask the council to either:

• manage your personal budget for you

• pay the money to another organisation – such as a care provider

• pay the money directly to you or someone you choose – this is known as a direct payment

You can also choose a combination of these options. For example, the council could arrange some of your care but send you the rest of the money. This is often called a mixed package or “mix and match”.

If the council manages your money

The money in your personal budget will be spent for you by the council. They will arrange all your care and support based on your agreed care plan.

They still need to check you’re happy with the care they’re arranging for you.

If your money is paid to another organisation

The organisation you choose, such as your care provider, will speak to the council and arrange the payments.

Sometimes other organisations charge you extra money to arrange payments from the council.

The benefits of direct payments

Direct payments give you more flexibility over how your care and support is arranged and provided.

For example, you could choose to hire care workers or personal assistants who:

• are always the same people and available when you need them

• speak the same language as you

• have experience working with your care needs

• are a specific person that has been recommended to you

• can help you get to shops or social events

There are many ways you could choose to use the money. It’s your choice as long as you’re spending

There are many ways you could choose to use the money. It’s your choice as long as you’re spending your personal budget on things that meet your agreed care plan.

Most councils will ask for evidence of how you’ve spent your money every 3 months.

When to consider other options

How to apply for direct payments

You should be offered direct payments as an option after your needs assessment.

You can also ask your local council’s social services department about direct payments.

How direct payments work

also consider having someone else manage member.

You could also consider having someone else manage your direct payments, for example a friend or family member.

You may decide direct payments are not helpful if:

• you’re worried about managing money or the people you employ

people you employ

• you spend a lot of time in hospital

• you would rather the council arranged your care

If you’re not confident about keeping records or managing the people who care for you, your local council should be able to provide support.

• you spend a lot of time in hospital managing the people who care for you, your local council should be able to provide support.

your direct payments, for example a friend or family member. You’ll need to set up a trust for payments

You could also consider having someone else manage your direct payments, for example a friend or family member. You’ll need to set up a trust for payments that are managed by someone else.

The Money Advice Service has information about setting up a trust.

If you choose direct payments, the council will send you the money in your personal budget by either:

send you the money in your personal budget by either:

• paying it directly into a bank, Post Office, building society or National Savings and Investments account

society or National Savings and Investments account

• sending you a pre-paid card

You can then choose how you spend the money on your own care and support, as long as it matches the care plan you’ve agreed with the council.

your own care and support, as long as it matches the care plan you’ve agreed with the council.

Signing a direct payment agreement

The council might ask you to sign a document called a direct payment agreement. This says:

• how the council want you to record your spending –for example, keeping receipts

for example, keeping receipts

• your responsibilities as an employer - if you’re paying for a care worker

If you spend direct payments on something that isn’t agreed in your care plan, the council could take the money back or end the direct payments.

If you’re struggling to manage your money

Ask your local council for advice or call the Money Advice Service on 0800 138 7777.

If you want someone else to receive the direct payment

You could speak to the council and agree for the money to be sent to someone who will spend it for you. For example:

• a carer

When choosing an agency, decide what sort of service you’re looking for and the tasks you need help with.

• a friend or family member

• someone else who speaks up for you (an advocate)

You may need to write down how they will spend the money and which decisions they can make for you. This is known as a decision-making agreement.

Employing your own carer or personal assistant

If you decide to hire a carer or personal assistant yourself, it’s important to know the responsibilities you’ll have as an employer.

Although support from the council should be available, you may need to arrange:

• background checks or references

• tax

• National Insurance

• pension contributions

Read more about employing someone to work in your home on GOV.UK.

Disability Rights UK also have more information on getting a personal assistant.

If you don’t want to become an employer

You could choose to hire care workers through an agency instead. This removes the legal obligations of being an employer, but could:

• cost you more money

• remove some of the benefits - such as having the same person provide your care

How to research a care agency

When choosing an agency, decide what sort of service you’re looking for and the tasks you need help with. It’s a good idea to contact more than one agency, as they may offer different types of services.

You can find out about local home care agencies by:

• speaking to your local council’s social services department

• contacting the UK Homecare Association

If you’re eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care provided by registered nurses employed by the care home.

There are also organisations that inspect care agencies to see how well they are doing. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and adult social care in England.

You might see a CQC inspection rating when you search online for care home agencies. Their 4 ratings are:

• Outstanding

• Good

• Requires improvement

• Inadequate

You could also search for care home agencies on the CQC website to see their full reports.

Telephone helplines

If you would like support to help you manage your personal budget or direct payments, speak to your council or call:

• the Disability Rights UK personal budgets helpline on 0330 995 0404

• the Age UK advice line on 0800 055 6112 (for older people)

NHS-funded nursing care

NHS-funded nursing care is when the NHS pays for the nursing care component of nursing home fees. The NHS pays a ﬂat rate directly to the care home towards the cost of this nursing care.

Who is eligible for NHS-funded nursing care?

You may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care if:

• you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse

• you live in a nursing home

How will my needs be assessed?

You should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare before a decision is made about whether you are eligible for NHS-funded nursing care. Most people don’t need a separate assessment for NHS-funded nursing care. However, if you do need an assessment or you haven’t already had one, your integrated care board (ICB) can arrange an assessment for you.

Outcome of the assessment

If you’re eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care provided

How to complain about personal budgets

It’s worth speaking to your council’s social services before making an official complaint to see if they can help.

You still have to the right to complain if you:

• have been told you’re not eligible to receive money towards your care and support

• don’t agree with the amount of money in your personal budget

You could either:

• speak to your social worker about being re-assessed

• call your local council social services and request a complaints form

Your council should also have a formal complaints procedure on its website.

If you’re not happy with the council’s response

Contact your Local Government Ombudsman. They investigate all adult social care complaints.

• Age UK have a detailed fact sheet on personal budgets and direct payments in social care

• The Money Advice Service has a guide to direct payments

by registered nurses employed by the care home. Services provided by a registered nurse can include planning, supervising and monitoring nursing and healthcare tasks, as well as direct nursing care.

If you’re not eligible for NHS-funded nursing care and you don’t agree with the decision about your eligibility, ask your ICB to review the decision.

The cost of NHS-funded nursing care

NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. In May 2022, the rate was set at £209.19 a week (standard rate) and will be backdated to 1 April 2022.

If you moved into a care home before 1 October 2007, and you were on the previous high band, NHS-funded nursing care is paid at a higher rate. In May 2022, the higher rate was set at £287.78 a week and will be backdated to 1 April 2022. You’re entitled to continue on this rate unless:

• you no longer have nursing needs

• you no longer live in a care home that provides nursing

• your nursing needs have reduced and you’re no longer eligible for the high band, when you would change to the standard rate of £209.19 a week, or

• you become entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead

Living Well with Age UK Mid Mersey

We are an independent charity providing support for people aged 50+ living in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington offering a wide range of services to help you live as well and as independently as you choose, to stay connected and to feel included socially & digitally.

Some of the services we offer include:

Information & Advice

Helping people access support relating to benefits, pensions and other money matters, housing, care, health and consumer issues.

Social groups

Our groups are a great way to socialise, meet new people, and enjoy good company, with games and quizzes along the way. Join us for a hot drink, a biscuit, and a friendly chat in our dementia-friendly, warm and welcoming spaces.

‘My Time’

A 12 week Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) programme of enjoyable, sociable activities to support memory, mind and thinking for people with mild to moderate dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

Community Companions

This service can help you regain confidence and reconnect with your community by accompanying you to local activities and groups.

Digital Support

Our Digital Champions take the fear out of ‘tech’ and help you to get the most out of your device and/or help you to get online safely.

Volunteer Opportunities

From admin, group support, digital champions, community companions and more, we have a range of roles for you to get involved with us and help your local community.

How to reach us

St Helens

Age UK Mid Mersey St Helens Office

The Mansion House, Victoria Park, City Road, St Helens, WA10 2UE

By appointment only

Moss Bank Library

Community Hub North, Kentmere Avenue, WA11 7PQ

Third Monday of the month

10:00am to 12:30pm

Chester Lane Library

Community Hub South, Four Acre Lane, WA9 4DE

First Tuesday of the month

10:00am to 12:30pm

Halton

Age UK Mid Mersey Runcorn Office

44 Church Street, Runcorn, WA7 1LR

Mondays 09:30am to 12:30pm

Halton Direct Link

Brook Street, Widnes, WA8 6NB

Fridays 9:30am to 1:30pm

Warrington

Warrington Living Well Hub

Horsemarket Street, Warrington

First Tuesday of the month

01:30pm to 3:30pm

Knowsley

JG Bistro, Jackson Gardens

The Withens, Stockbridge Village, L28 1AB

First Friday of the month

12:00pm to 02:30pm

United Against Dementia

Alzheimer’s Society wants everyone affected by dementia to know that whoever you are, whatever you are going through, you can turn to them for support, help and advice.

Dementia Connect

Dementia Connect, from Alzheimer’s Society, is a personalised support service for anyone with dementia, their carers, families and friends.

We understand that dementia affects everyone differently. So whether you, a loved one, a friend or neighbour needs dementia support, we’re here for you.

We’ll connect you to a whole range of dementia support, by phone, online and face to face. Our highlytrained dementia advisers can help people come to terms with their diagnosis and navigate the complicated maze of health and social care services.

It’s free, easy to access, and offers you the support you need. Whether it’s advice on legal documents, help understanding dementia or someone to talk to when things get tough, we’re here to help.

We can keep in touch with you to make sure you keep getting the support you need. And because we know it’s never easy to tell your story, you’ll only ever need to tell it to us once.

Phone support

Our dementia advisers are available to talk to on the phone seven days a week. They will listen and give you the support and advice you need, including connecting you to help in your local area and online.

We can offer you the option of regular calls so we can keep in touch, to ﬁnd out how you are and help when things change.

Support line opening hours*

Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm

Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5.00pm

Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

*Calls charged at standard local rate.

Online support

Dementia Connect online support is available round the clock through our website. Answer a few simple questions about yourself, or someone you know, to get personalised, relevant information and advice. From guides on dementia to advice on making your home dementia friendly, get the information about the things that matter to you.

‘The Dementia Adviser was lovely and full of information. Without Alzheimer’s Society and the Dementia Adviser we’d have nothing. She is a major networker and knows everything and everyone local. I feel in charge and empowered.’ Katherine, living with dementia

If you need further support, you can request a call from our dementia advisers, who should be in touch with you within a week. Our online support includes Talking Point, our online community where you can connect with others in a similar situation, and our Dementia Directory where you can search for local services.

Face to face support

Where possible, our local dementia support workers can meet you in person to offer further support, advice and information. They will also connect you to other face to face services in your area, including local support groups.

Notes: Dementia Connect phone and online support is available wherever you live. As the service is new, some parts of the service may not be available in your area just yet.

How can you support Alzheimer’s Society?

1) Fundraising and events

From Memory Walk and Cupcake Day to challenging yourself in marathons and treks. There’s plenty of ways you can get involved to help raise money. Search ‘get involved’ on alzheimers.org.uk

2) Donate

Our dementia support services are made possible thanks to generous donations from the public. However, you don’t have to join an event or seek sponsorship to do this. Simply head to alzheimers.org.uk and donate what you can to unite against dementia.

3) Become a campaigner

At Alzheimer’s Society, we work to amplify the voices of people affected by dementia, to create a world where they get the support and care they deserve. We can’t do this alone. Whether you have dementia, you have a personal connection to dementia or you want to stand with those who do. Together we can make a difference, register to become a campaigner at alzheimers.org.uk

“Dementia can and does affect so many families, including mine.

“My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the summer of 2012. He passed away in September 2018.

“I wanted to do something to help raise awareness of the condition and tackle the stigma associated, so I reached out to Alzheimer’s Society to see if I could help. It gives me an enormous sense of pride being an Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society and I feel like I’m making a difference.

“I have also personally enjoyed taking part in fundraising activities like Cupcake Day and Memory Walk, as there is a real sense of togetherness for a good cause.

“For anyone wanting to know how they can help, I’d say get involved. Whatever you can give, be that your time, voice or money, you’ll know you’ve made a difference to the lives of people affected by dementia.”

Meera

Syal, actor and Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador

Get in touch

If you are affected by dementia in and would like information and support, contact us:

T: 0333 150 3456

W: alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect

E: dementia.connect@alzheimers.org.uk

“Impressed would be an understatement”

For anyone who struggles to leave their home without support, at-home health services can be a lifeline.

This is something that Derek Brown, who cares for his wife Margaret, knows only too well.

Specsavers is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to essential eye-health and hearing care – but also understands that it’s not always easy for people like Margaret, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, to attend in-store appointments.

That’s why, for the past ten years, Specsavers Home Visits has provided comprehensive NHS-funded eye tests to anyone who’s unable to visit a store unaccompanied. It’s also started to provide free at-home hearing services in selected locations in the UK.

Derek called on the Specsavers Home Visits service when Margaret needed a routine eye test and it was too challenging to get to a store. He was blown away by the expert care that was delivered during the visit and the difference the new glasses made to his wife.

Although Margaret wasn’t able to respond to the questions of the optician and their assistant, during the visit, they adapted their approach so they could prescribe the reading glasses that have expanded her world.

“If I was to say I was amazed, that would be an understatement,” says Derek. “What was so significant for me as a full-time carer was that the Specsavers experts were punctual, quiet-speaking and patient, reassuring Margaret with everything they did. The level of care expressed towards her was incredible.”

Derek, from Northallerton in North Yorkshire, has been the primary carer for Margaret, since her diagnosis with

Why Choose Specsavers Home Visits?

• Convenience: Our experts come directly to you.

• Personalised Care: Visits are tailored to the individual’s needs, with specialist equipment to ensure comfort and accuracy.

• Peace of Mind: Your loved one will receive the same kind of highquality care as they would expect in-store.

Alzheimer’s in early 2018. After she spent four weeks in hospital in 2022, Margaret’s condition deteriorated, and she has since been confined to a hospital bed in the couple’s living room, and a hoist to access a wheelchair. With multiple other health challenges, caring for Margaret is complex – but after 25 years of love and marriage Derek has risen to the challenge. As well as taking care of her everyday needs, he’s been able to improve her quality of life thanks to Specsavers at-home service.

Following her at-home eye test, the optician suggested Margaret tried some reading glasses to help her enjoy looking at family photos.

Derek was unsure how she would adapt to wearing glasses but seeing her smile while looking at old family pictures told him everything he needed to know.

“If anyone is in any doubt about inviting Specsavers into their home, all I can say is: simply try it,” Derek says. “You won’t regret it for a second.”

Derek now fights for better support and recognition for carers nationwide, and has launched a website (www.dementiaguidance.co.uk) dedicated to helping carers like him across the UK. He’s keen to ensure they have all the information they need – including the option of getting a comprehensive at-home eye test from Specsavers.

Expert eye and hearing care tailored to your needs

For those eligible, our mobile experts will provide a comprehensive NHSfunded eye test from the comfort of your own home, with all the same care and thoroughness as you would receive in-store. Specsavers has now also started to roll out free at-home hearing services across the UK. To find out what locations this service is available in visit our website.

Our eye care and hearing services are tailored to each person and their needs. They are designed to provide eye care and hearing services that are as individual as they are and can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances and comfort levels.

To see if you or your loved one are eligible, call 0800 0890144 or visit specsavers.co.uk/home-visits