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Local Government Ombudsman warns councils over care-home funding | Local Government Ombudsman warns councils over care-home funding |
(35 minutes later) | |
Local authorities across England have been warned not to expect residents to have to pay some of their own care-home fees if they cut council funding. | Local authorities across England have been warned not to expect residents to have to pay some of their own care-home fees if they cut council funding. |
The Local Government Ombudsman issued the ruling after adjudicating a case involving Tameside Council. | |
Tony Cryer, 43, from Droylsden, complained about having to pay £88 per week when the council threatened to move his mother, 80, to another home. | Tony Cryer, 43, from Droylsden, complained about having to pay £88 per week when the council threatened to move his mother, 80, to another home. |
Tameside Council said it "strongly disputed" the ombudsman's findings. | Tameside Council said it "strongly disputed" the ombudsman's findings. |
"It has come too late for my mum [she died in March] and dad. All I can hope is that there will be justice for the other 160 [affected] residents in Tameside," said Mr Cryer. | "It has come too late for my mum [she died in March] and dad. All I can hope is that there will be justice for the other 160 [affected] residents in Tameside," said Mr Cryer. |
Ombudsman's recommendations | Ombudsman's recommendations |
He was told by the authority in March 2013 that his mother Jean, who had dementia, would be moved if she could not pay more towards her care. | He was told by the authority in March 2013 that his mother Jean, who had dementia, would be moved if she could not pay more towards her care. |
Mr Cryer said Age Concern had advised him that it was not in his mother's best health interests to move. | Mr Cryer said Age Concern had advised him that it was not in his mother's best health interests to move. |
As a result, he paid nearly £4,000 for his mother's care in the 12 months until her death. | As a result, he paid nearly £4,000 for his mother's care in the 12 months until her death. |
"We were given an impossible choice really," said Mr Cryer, who said he felt obliged to pay. | "We were given an impossible choice really," said Mr Cryer, who said he felt obliged to pay. |
Local Government Ombudsman Jane Martin said: "I urge all authorities to look very closely at their plans, if they are changing care commissioning in their area, to ensure that no vulnerable residents are placed in a similar position." | Local Government Ombudsman Jane Martin said: "I urge all authorities to look very closely at their plans, if they are changing care commissioning in their area, to ensure that no vulnerable residents are placed in a similar position." |
A Tameside Council spokesman said: "The report is fundamentally flawed in a number of respects, and there are question marks around whether the ombudsman has unlawfully exceeded her powers in issuing the report." | A Tameside Council spokesman said: "The report is fundamentally flawed in a number of respects, and there are question marks around whether the ombudsman has unlawfully exceeded her powers in issuing the report." |
The council also rejected the ombudsman's call for 160 residents to have their cases reviewed, saying only 10 were affected. | The council also rejected the ombudsman's call for 160 residents to have their cases reviewed, saying only 10 were affected. |
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