Failure to promote fee compensation scheme is a "national disgrace"

The NHS has come under heavy criticism for failing to promote a compensation scheme set up to return thousands of pounds of care fees to older adults who were overcharged.

Currently, residents with assets over £23,250 are forced to cover the full extent of their care fees. However, many people are eligible for additional benefits, This is Money reports.

For example, those who would otherwise be occupying a hospital bed should have their fees paid in full by the NHS.

Primary care trusts are responsible for the scheme, but were found to be failing to provide funding for thousands of older adults in care.

The Continuing Healthcare Fund has been set up to pay backdated compensation to these people and their families, but those who overpaid in the last two years only have until the end of March to make a claim.

Solicitors Farley Dwek has slammed the NHS for failing to promote the fund, which is believed to have been allocated £10 million to repay the fees.

The firm's director Andrew Farley said: "This is a national disgrace and if the government is to avoid being accused of a cover up it has to give the NHS the resources it needs to communicate this policy effectively."

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