2021 Year In Review

As we reflect on the past year, with all its difficulties and challenges, Care To Be Different still proudly remains the most popular and most respected, number one website for free information and resources about NHS Continuing Healthcare. Despite COVID restrictions, we have been able to produce a substantial 37 blogs and issue an average of two newsletters a month.

In response to increasing demand for information and help at every stage of the CHC process, we have also increased our range of helplines, where you can pay a relatively small charge for specialist expert advice if you need more specific help. These helplines are proving very popular, and you get to speak directly to a specialist former CHC nurse or current case-handler – depending on the nature of your enquiry.

Our book, How To Get The NHS To Pay For Care (available in paperback or as a downloadable PDF) is hugely popular for those that want instant portable access to succinct reading material on CHC funding.  And of course, there is always the option of seeking legal advice on any matter, be it a case review, help with assessment or appeal, advocacy support – all offered as a one-stop shop by Farley Dwek Solicitors.

Finally, before moving on to our annual awards, we wanted to thank you, our readers and contributors, who have taken the time to post comments on our blogs, engaged in our Facebook page,  shared your personal experiences, frustrations and challenges when pursuing CHC.

Thank you, from Care To Be Different!

Now, for a bit of end of year light-heartedness, we come to our top monthly blog awards for 2021:

January

Often misconstrued that NHS Continuing Healthcare uniquely applies to the elderly in society. It doesn’t! Read on, as you may be surprised to find out that your child may be eligible for fully funded care…

Who is entitled to CHC?

February

Despite the excellent 3-part series on the Landmark case of Pamela Coughlan and how it shaped CHC funding and the National Framework, we chose this highly topical subject as the month’s winner…

How To Avoid Selling Your Home To Pay For Care…

March

There were a number of excellent articles to choose from in this busy month, including, Why 31st March 2021 Is A Date To Look Out For? and Are You Missing Out On Your Entitlement To Care At Home? The Gunter Case… which are both well worth a read. However, due to the lack of public awareness (including those in the media), we felt it necessary to continue banging the drum and raise public consciousness of CHC, so we chose…

Why is CHC always overlooked? Help spread the word

April

Unfortunately, there’s so much misinformation about CHC and people can often be put off claiming their entitlement to NHS funded care [read:  Vital Information About Paying For Care]. But if you are new to CHC and want some general information or answers to common questions, look no further than our selected winner…

Getting Started: Some Frequently Asked Questions About NHS Continuing Healthcare

May

An essential blog packed with information to ensure you don’t get fobbed off and miss out on essential NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding…

10 Tips About Care Fees You May Not Know

June

Our winner ‘does what it says on the tin’. A glossary of frequent terms you’ll encounter along your CHC journey, jam-packed with dozens of links to popular articles all – in one place.

THE ABC OF CHC

July

This was another close contest! Our article, How To Recover Care Fees After A Successful Retrospective Review proved to be highly relevant and useful for those pursuing a retrospective claim for NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding and a helpful guide to ensure that you have all the necessary proof of payment to obtain reimbursement in the event of a successful claim. However, our vote went to the ever popular…

Read This Before You Needlessly Sell Your Home To Pay For Care!

August

Know your rights! Due to the spiraling number of enquiries we received from families about their relatives being discharged from hospital into care, this key blog looks at the availability government funding to help speed up patient discharge during the COVID pandemic…

Why aren’t you getting free NHS care?

September

This month’s choice was just one blog out of many we could have chosen as part of our ongoing series which looks at the different levels of need in each Care Domain to determine eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding at a full Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) assessment.

Get Help Breaking Down the Decision Support Tool: Mobility, Part 1

October

MDTs can be a very stressful time for families as this is the first proper bite at getting NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding. The stakes are high, and you really have to be fully prepared if you are to have any chance of success at this initial stage. For practical help, read our choice…

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation! Never Take MDT Outcomes For Granted

November

Congratulations to Channel 4 for tackling CHC and highlighting its complexities and challenges facing both the NHS appointed assessors and those being assessed [Channel 4 News Spotlights The Complexities And Frustrations Of Claiming NHS CHC Funding]. However, despite Channel 4’s prominence, we went with some more practical hands-on advice and what you can do to improve your chances of being awarded CHC…

Do Care Homes Play A Part In Preventing Successful Outcomes For CHC Funding?

December

It is not often that we get to speak to a former government Minister or indeed any Minister about CHC! However, we were delighted that Ivan Lewis agreed to share some thoughts on the evolution of the National Framework – the NHS rule book and guidance for CHC.

An Exclusive Interview With Ivan Lewis, The Minister Behind The National Framework.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year with much success and continued strength when battling for your (relative’s) rights for CHC funding.

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