The Old Rectory is a well-appointed homely residence ideally situated in one of Cheshire’s most Picturesque Villages. The original building has been carefully restored and continuous improvements ensures that the high standard of accommodation is maintained.
The Old Rectory is family owned and very much a part of the local community, it has recently been awarded a good CQC rating and has been recognised as one of the Top 20 Recommended Care Homes in the North West of England for the past five years.
The Old Rectory has 38 bedrooms, all of which have beautiful views of the village, Bridgewater canal and gardens and have ensuite or vanity facilities. Companion rooms are also available and each room is fully furnished to a high standard. It has recently had a full renovation of communal areas.
Care Services:
• 24 hour Nursing/Health care staff • Local GP visits
• Weekly exercise programme by a Physiotherapist
• Weekly activity schedule
• Laundry service • Hairdressing and nail service • Assisted transport to appointments
• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle available for family to use
• 9.8 rating on www.carehome.co.uk
Church Lane, Grappenhall, Warrington, WA4 3EP
Tel: 01925 604611
Email: e@orncare.co.uk www.orncare.co.uk
OPTIONS
DESIGN PRINT SUPPORT
OCTAGON
To advertise in this publication please call the sales team on 01302 714528
Rossington Hall, Great North Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN11 0HR 01302 714528 | www.octagon.org.uk | info@octagon.org.uk
Meadowview Care Home, Penketh
Meadowview Care Home, set in Penketh, Warrington, embodies a spirit of community that extends far beyond its walls. Overlooking a tranquil meadow where horses graze, what truly stands out is the sense of belonging it offers residents.
Led by Manager Chris Wilcock and Deputy Manager Julie Leicester, Meadowview balances skilled care with a genuine focus on fostering connections. Staff are trained to understand the unique needs of those living with dementia, providing tailored support that promotes dignity and enhances quality of life. Through one-to-one interactions, gentle sensory activities, and familiar routines, every effort helps residents feel secure, understood, and empowered.
Life at Meadowview is brought to life by a dedicated activities programme led by the Wellbeing Team. Residents enjoy a rich variety of daily activities, including arts and crafts, trips out, and sensory sessions. One standout feature is its intergenerational events. Thanks to the school next door and the strong relationship Meadowview has built, local schoolchildren often visit to share stories and laughter with residents, building friendships across generations.
Recently, the home introduced its very own on-site pub, The Laughing Cow, the name chosen by residents, a welcoming spot to relax and enjoy a drink with friends. The garden has also been revitalised just in time for summer, offering a tranquil space to soak up sunshine, admire flowers, and enjoy fresh air. At Meadowview, life is about more than care. It’s about nurturing a community where residents, families, and staff share in the small moments that make every day meaningful.
Can’t go to Specsavers? They’ll come to you
We caught up with Kejal Shah who has been an Optometrist with Specsavers Home Visits for 8 years. She explains to us how this much-needed service works.
So, tell me more about the Home Visits service…
Our at-home eye test is very similar to what you would have experienced in-store, just with a few adjustments and specialist equipment to make it home-friendly.
Optometrists, like myself, carry out the eye test, adjusting it to your individual needs. If glasses are needed, experienced colleagues will help with frame selection and then return to fit them. And, it goes without saying, all customers are supported with ongoing aftercare.
In response to demand, we’ve also now launched a new audiology home visits service. So far, we have home hearing services in 24 locations in the UK, with plans to expand this nationally over the coming months. Who is able to benefit from a home eye test?
Put simply, it’s about bringing the service to your door, if you can’t get to one of our stores. So if you, a friend, or loved one, are unable to leave your home or care home unaccompanied, due to a physical or mental illness or disability, we can come to you.
There are a wide range of conditions and reasons why someone might not be able to leave their home. You can speak to us about your situation and we can help you understand if you or your loved one qualifies. What if someone is bedbound, or struggling with communication? Can you still help them?
The Home Visits service is designed to provide eyecare which is as individual as our customers are.
Some customers might be clinically vulnerable or they might be non-verbal or living with dementia. Depending on the situation, we might use pictures instead of letters for example. Even with a customer who is bedbound, we can change the position of the chart so we’re still getting completely accurate results. All the tests are adapted to fit the customer’s environment and comfort level. We can also speak to the customer or their loved one ahead of the visit, to address any questions or talk through the process.
Given that you provide such a personal and tailored service, does your care go beyond just an eye test?
Every colleague I know sees our services as something beyond just a job. Whether it’s sharing stories over a cuppa, popping something in the post for them, or passing them something out of reach, going that extra mile is such a rewarding part of our role. I only need to see a customer’s smile to know I’ve made a difference.
That’s a big part of what we do. Provide a personal service, tailored care and expertise, right to people’s homes, no matter what their situation – in homes, care homes or sheltered housing.
How do I find out whether someone is eligible?
You can head to our website at www.specsavers.co.uk/home-visits which features a simple step-by-step guide to eligibility and a wealth of information. Alternatively, you can call 0800 0890144
Integrating community and hospital services provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Warrington and Halton
Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The needs of our local population are changing, and our services need to be more responsive to help you stay well.
We want to provide better care together, that’s why Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCH) and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals (WHH) are joining forces and working as one.
Warrington and Halton need strong and resilient clinical services, and we know that by coming together we can improve services for our communities and build a healthcare system that is sustainable for the future.
This is an exciting opportunity to really make things better for our patients and our staff.
For our patients, this means shorter waiting times, a more streamlined journey through our services and most importantly, a better overall experience when accessing community and hospital healthcare services.
You can read more about an example of this in the feature on the next page.
Over the past few months, plans for how our organisations come together have been progressing well, and subject to all necessary approvals we plan to become one single organisation by no later than April 2027.
We know that you recover quicker when you’re back in your own home and community with familiar surroundings, rather than in hospital.
By coming together, we’ll also be able to deliver new models of care. We want to provide care as close to home, where feasibly possible, and focus significantly on improving population health and reducing health inequalities.
We know that you recover quicker when you’re back in your own home and community with familiar surroundings, rather than in hospital.
Through integration we will be able to bring the best of both organisations together and make greater use of new digital technology, enabling the right care to be provided in the right place. Healthcare needs have changed, and we know that we must continue to change, evolve and deliver care differently to meet people’s needs.
Our organisations have much in common, and we are looking forward to a bright future for our healthcare services in Warrington and Halton, and those we provide further afield.
Throughout the integration process we will be actively engaging with our staff, stakeholders, people with lived experience and our local communities to help shape the programme as it evolves and develops.
To find out more about the Better Care Together programme, visit: www.whh.nhs.uk or www.bridgewater.nhs.uk
Partnership working in action
How AI technology is speeding up skin cancer diagnosis
Around half of all cancers diagnosed in England and Wales are skin cancer, which has led to a high demand for dermatology services across the NHS.
As a result of the work to bring Bridgewater Community Healthcare (BCH) and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals (WHH) services together, patients across Warrington who are referred for skin cancer testing are now able to access swifter diagnosis, and treatment if needed, with a new dermatology artificial intelligence (AI) service.
Delivered jointly by BCH, WHH, and artificial intelligence technology provider Skin Analytics, the service uses cutting-edge NICE-recommended AI to recognise cancerous, pre-cancerous and common harmless skin conditions through photographic images. The state-of-the-art system is impressively 99.9% accurate when ruling out melanoma and 97% sensitive when detecting skin cancer.
Acting as a ‘one-stop’ clinic, not only is the service the first of its kind across the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside region, its location in a local shopping centre makes it more unique.
The AI dermatology service is delivered from Halton Health Hub, based in Runcorn Shopping City, which patients are able to easily access thanks to a large amount of free parking and a shuttle bus service from both Warrington Hospital and Halton Hospital.
The staff there were brilliant too, very friendly and explained clearly what was going on.
Speaking about his recent visit to the Halton Health Hub, Stephen Campion, a patient from Penketh, said: “I was amazed by the speed of the AI. The fact that you get seen and diagnosed within minutes rather than having to book a follow-up appointment was great. The staff there were brilliant too, very friendly and explained clearly what was going on.”
Offering this innovative new service in a modern diagnostic service outside of a hospital environment, with faster access to treatment performed at the same location on the same day, is a great example of the benefits integrating our two organisations will bring to patients and communities.
For more information on the AI technology and dermatology service visit: www.bridgewater.nhs.uk
A close up of the AI technology
Stephen Campion inside the clinic
Local NHS services to help you stay well
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.
Please remember that emergency departments and 999 are for life-threatening emergencies and serious injuries but there are lots of local services that can help.
Pharmacies
Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains and suggest treatments that do not need a prescription.
Most pharmacies can also offer prescription
Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses.
medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.
Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:
If a pharmacist cannot help you, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.
Vaccines are a great way to help yourself stay well yearround.
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 lifethreatening 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
Ensure
your vaccines are up to date
Vaccines are a great 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 to 79.
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 people at higher risk of these illnesses, including 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.
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
Carer support
Loneliness or social isolation
Loneliness or social isolation
Carer support
Housing and energy advice
Housing and energy advice
Loneliness or social isolation
Lifestyle support and community activities
Lifestyle support and community activities
Transport and travel
Transport and travel
Employment and volunteering opportunities
Employment and volunteering opportunities
Transport and travel
Cost of living Benefits support
Where
Food / shopping support
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”.
Q
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.
Q
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 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.
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 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
• 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, Warrington, Knowsley and St Helens offer a wide range of services for people aged 50 plus 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 - such as benefits, pensions and other money issues; housing; care, health and support; consumer issues; help with form filling or letter writing.
Social groups* - come along and meet new people while having a hot drink. Or learn a new skill or get new information from speakers / tutors we invite.
*dementia friendly & warm spaces
We are launching ‘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.
During the winter we run our Warm Homes project where we can provide you with home energy checks.
Digital Classes & Drop Ins - 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 (admin, groups, digital, befriending) - for you to get involved with us and help your local community
Where to find us
Age UK Mid Mersey Runcorn Office
44 Church Street, Runcorn, WA7 1LR
Tuesday & Friday - 11.00am to 12:30pm
Age UK Mid Mersey St Helens Office
The Mansion House, Victoria Park, City Road, St Helens, WA10 2UE
By appointment only
Halton Direct Link Brook Street, Widnes, WA8 6NB
Fridays 9:30am to 2:00pm
Warrington Living Well Hub Horsemarket Street, Warrington
Tuesdays 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Knowsley
Coming soon...
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.
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.
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.
