HEALTH chiefs have defended their policy for funding for caring for people at home, after MP Kate Green expressed serious concerns about it and called for a re-think.

Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green spoke out after an investigation by the Health Service Journal and Disability United suggested that Trafford NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) might choose not to fund care at home but to move some older and disabled patients into care homes on the basis it would cost less.

This report highlighted Trafford CCG's 'Choice and Equity” policy which states that the CCG will be prepared to support a package of care which keeps an individual in their own home “provided the anticipated cost of providing care is not 10 per cent more than the anticipated cost of a care package delivered in an alternative appropriate location such as a care home.”

Ms Green said it is critical that any decision about the future care of a patient be based on needs rather than on cost cutting.

She said: "“Most of us would prefer to be in our own home for as long as possible. It is deeply worrying that thousands of older or disabled people in Trafford could be forced to move into care homes against their will just because that is a cheaper option than living at home with care provision.

“Decisions on care should be based on what is best for the patient, not on some arbitrary cap.

“I will be writing to Trafford CCG to express my concerns about these plans and the effect on Stretford and Urmston residents of these ill thought out proposals.”

But Trafford CCG insisted that "patients and family choice is given the highest priority."

It pointed out that it is "currently funding patients with very complex needs living in their own home and every Continuing Healthcare case is assessed individually."

"We can give assurance that every Continuing Healthcare (CHC), Funding Nursing Care (FNC) and Personal Health Budget (PHB) patient in Trafford is given full consideration of their individual needs when considering and agreeing healthcare funding."

But it admits: "We recognise that exceptional circumstances may require exceptional consideration and these are reviewed on a case by case basis, in order to retain our obligation to make best use of NHS resources on behalf of taxpayers."

Gina Lawrence, the chief operating officer for NHS Trafford Clinical commissioning group, said: "We will always take account of the wishes expressed by patients and families when making decisions, ensuring that meeting their needs remains paramount."

Trafford CCG said the Choice and Equity Policy “envisages potential scenarios.”