Care Necessities Limited

08/06/2026

Many people still have an old Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), made before the law changed in 2007.

An EPA may still be perfectly valid, but it only covers property and financial affairs – things like bank accounts, bills and managing money.

Today we spoke with a lady who discovered the limitations of an EPA the hard way.

Her mother, let's call her Betty, suffered a fall and was admitted to hospital. During her stay, concerns were raised about Betty's mental capacity and a decision was made by a Social Worker for Betty to move into a care home.

Betty's daughter held an old EPA and assumed she would be able to help make decisions about her mother's future care. However, because the EPA only covered financial matters, she found herself in a very different position when it came to health and welfare decisions.

Now that Betty has settled into the care home, her health has improved and her daughter would like to explore whether a return home with a care package could be possible. Yet she feels excluded from discussions and frustrated that she has little authority to influence decisions about her mother's care and future.

This situation highlights an important point that many families are unaware of:

An EPA does not provide authority over health and welfare decisions. The newer Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) introduced two separate documents:

• Property & Financial Affairs LPA
• Health & Welfare LPA

If you only have an old EPA, it is worth checking whether there is also a Health & Welfare LPA in place.

The good news is that, as long as a person still has mental capacity, they can create a Health & Welfare LPA and choose who they would like to make decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so in the future.

Too often, families only discover the limitations of an old EPA when they find themselves facing difficult decisions during a health crisis.

If you or a loved one have an old EPA, now may be a good time to review what arrangements are in place.

And if you are currently experiencing difficulties because you feel excluded from decisions about a loved one's care, welfare or future living arrangements, please feel free to contact Care Necessities for an informal discussion. We may be able to help you understand your rights, the decision-making process, and the options available to you.

03/06/2026

A huge thank you to this client for such a thoughtful 5‑star review. Their kind words about our team really mean a lot — especially given the difficult circumstances they were facing.

We’re proud to know that our team’s support, clarity and compassion made a difference during a challenging time. Feedback like this reminds us why we do what we do.

Thank you again for placing your trust in us and for recommending our services. 💛

From the first initial enquiry with Julie we have found everyone in this company to be extremel ...

21/05/2026

Thank you for following our Bitesize Guide series.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared a range of posts to help explain how care and care funding works.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #20
Supporting You Through Care & Funding Decisions

💬 Throughout this series, we’ve covered topics including:

Planning ahead
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Paying for care
Care home choices
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Appeals and retrospective claims

💡 We know that navigating care can feel overwhelming — especially during difficult and emotional times.

👉 Our aim has been simple:

To provide clear, practical guidance to help people feel more informed, more prepared, and more confident about the road ahead.

💬 While this brings us to the end of our Bitesize Guide series, we will continue to share helpful information and insights on care and funding on a regular basis.

💡 Every situation is different, and it can often feel difficult to know where to start.

If you would like friendly, bespoke advice tailored to your circumstances, please feel free to get in touch:

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

💬 We’re always happy to help.

19/05/2026

Can care fees be reclaimed years later — even after someone has passed away?

In some cases, yes.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #19
Retrospective NHS Continuing Healthcare Claims — What You Need to Know

💡 If someone paid for their care, but was never assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) when they should have been, it may still be possible to request a retrospective review.

👉 This relates to what is known as a previously unassessed period of care.

💬 In simple terms, this means looking back at a period where:

CHC was not properly considered at the time
Care was paid for privately (in full or in part)
There may have been eligibility for NHS funding

⚠️ In England, these requests will generally only be considered for care provided from 1 April 2012 onwards.

💡 Who can make a claim?

👉 This may include:

The person receiving care (if they have mental capacity)
An attorney or deputy acting on their behalf
If the person has passed away, the executor or administrator of the estate

💬 In some circumstances, applications may also be made by someone with a legal interest arising from the person’s death.

👉 It is important to understand:

This is not about challenging a decision that has already been made.

It is about identifying periods where an assessment should have taken place — but didn’t.

💡 If NHS Continuing Healthcare should have been awarded, it may be possible to recover care fees that were paid incorrectly.

💬 Many families are simply unaware that this option exists.

👉 In our experience:

We routinely investigate and submit retrospective CHC claims and have recovered thousands of pounds in wrongly paid care fees — in some cases, up to £200,000.

💡 If you believe your loved one paid for care but was never assessed for CHC, it may be worth seeking advice.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our final Bitesize Guide:
We’ll bring everything together and explain how you can get further support.

17/05/2026

When someone passes away, are all care fees and accounts always correct?

Not always — and in some cases, families are faced with unexpected bills they didn’t even know existed.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #18
Care Fees After Death — What Executors and Families Need to Know

💡 After a loved one passes away, there is often a lot to manage:

Arrangements
Finances
Closing accounts

💬 During this time, Local Authorities and care providers may issue invoices for outstanding care fees.

⚠️ What many people don’t realise is:

In some cases, these invoices can be for significant sums — sometimes tens of thousands of pounds.

👉 We have seen situations where families or executors receive bills for:

£20,000
£50,000
Even over £100,000

💬 Often, this comes as a complete shock.

💡 Why does this happen?

👉 In many cases:

There was no attorney or deputy in place
Or families believed that payments already being made covered the full cost of care

👉 When in reality:

The person receiving care may only have been paying a contribution
Additional amounts may have been accruing in the background

💬 Many families simply don’t know:

Who is actually paying for care — or what is owed

👉 And because nothing has been requested at the time, it is often assumed that everything has been dealt with.

⚠️ Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

💬 Even after death:

If care fees remain outstanding, the Local Authority will seek to recover these from the estate.

👉 This may be the first time the full position becomes clear.

💡 Alongside this, we also see:

Invoices issued without a clear breakdown
Charges that are incorrect or miscalculated
Money already being held but not clearly identified
Refunds due but not highlighted

💬 A recent example:

➡️ A Local Authority initially sought over £12,000
➡️ The family were unaware that the Local Authority was already holding £7,500 of the person’s funds
➡️ After a full review, the calculation was found to be incorrect
➡️ The actual amount payable was closer to £3,500

👉 Had this not been challenged, it is likely the estate would have paid the full £12,000

💬 Instead, the amount paid was significantly reduced.

👉 You might expect this would have been identified automatically.

⚠️ However, in practice:

Local Authorities often operate across multiple departments, and information is not always clearly joined up — meaning these issues can sometimes be missed.

💡 The key point:

Do not assume that everything has been calculated correctly.

👉 Before making any payments or closing accounts, it is important to check:

✔️ A full and detailed breakdown of fees
✔️ Whether any money is already being held
✔️ Whether refunds are due

💬 A careful review can make a significant difference to what is ultimately passed on to the family.

If you would like to talk through a situation or review any invoices you have received, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
Can care fees be reclaimed after death?

05/05/2026

Did you know that NHS funding for care can sometimes be put in place within 24–48 hours?

Many families are unaware that this option even exists.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #17
Fast Track Funding — What You Need to Know

💡 If someone is rapidly deteriorating or entering an end-of-life phase, they may be eligible for Fast Track funding.

👉 This is a form of NHS Continuing Healthcare.

💬 This means:

The NHS takes over the full cost of care
It is not means tested
It can apply whether care is provided at home or in a care home

💡 The key difference is the process.

👉 Fast Track does not require a full DST assessment

👉 It is a much quicker process

👉 A decision is usually made within 24–48 hours of the application being received

💬 This removes the need for families to go through a lengthy assessment process at what is often a very difficult and emotional time.

👉 A Fast Track application must be completed by an appropriate clinician, such as:

A GP
A hospital consultant
A registered nurse

⚠️ It is important to understand:

Fast Track funding is usually time-limited

💡 In many cases:

👉 It will remain in place for around 12 weeks

👉 After this, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) will usually arrange a full NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment (DST)

⚠️ This is important:

Eligibility for Fast Track does not automatically mean that a person will qualify for ongoing CHC funding.

💬 The criteria are different, and a full assessment will still be required.

💡 For this reason, preparation is key.

👉 In our experience:

We often recommend beginning preparation around 6 weeks after Fast Track is put in place, so that everything is ready for the full assessment when it takes place.

⚠️ Many families are never told about Fast Track funding.

💬 You might expect that:

A care home
A GP
Or another healthcare professional

would raise this — but this is not always the case.

👉 In practice:

It is sometimes necessary to raise the question and request that an application is considered

💡 Being proactive can make a significant difference.

💬 We have supported many families in securing Fast Track funding — often successfully — helping to remove the immediate financial pressure of care fees at a very difficult time.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
What happens to care fees after death — and what families need to check.

03/05/2026

Not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare — can the decision be challenged?

Yes — but it’s important to understand how the process works.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #16
NHS Continuing Healthcare Appeals — What You Need to Know

💡 After a full NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessment has taken place, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) will write to confirm the outcome.

👉 This is often referred to as an “outcome letter”

💬 The letter should confirm:

Whether CHC funding has been awarded
If not, whether Funded Nursing Care (FNC) will be provided

👉 It should usually be sent to:

The person receiving care
Their attorney or deputy

⚠️ However, this is not always consistent.

In some cases, the letter may be sent to the care home — so it is important to keep an eye out for it.

💡 If CHC is not awarded:

You should be informed that you have the right to appeal the decision

👉 In most cases, you will be given a timeframe to notify the ICB of your intention to appeal.

This is often 6 months from the date of the outcome letter — but it is important to check the letter carefully.

⚠️ If you do not notify the ICB within this timeframe, you will not usually be able to appeal later.

💬 Some families choose to notify the ICB immediately.

👉 However, it is important to understand:

Notifying the ICB of your intention to appeal can trigger the start of the appeal process.

💡 Submitting an appeal means you will need to:

👉 Set out, in writing, the full basis of your challenge

💬 The ICB will usually send a questionnaire to complete.

⚠️ This can be misleading.

The format and limited space provided can give the impression that only a small amount of information is required.

👉 In reality:

A properly prepared appeal is often detailed and evidence-based.

💬 When we prepare appeal submissions, they are often 30+ pages in length

💡 Once an appeal is submitted:

The ICB will usually arrange a preliminary discussion call

👉 It is important to understand:

The person leading this call will not usually have authority to overturn the decision
The purpose is often to explain how the original decision was reached

⚠️ Many families come away from this call feeling that there is no point in continuing.

💬 However, this is not necessarily the case.

💡 The outcome of an appeal is heavily influenced by:

The quality of preparation
The evidence presented
How care needs are analysed and argued

👉 While it is possible to go through the appeal process independently, it can feel complex and overwhelming.

💬 Seeking specialist support can make a significant difference.

At Care Necessities, we specialise in NHS Continuing Healthcare and appeals.

We can help ensure that your case is fully prepared and clearly presented — giving you the best possible chance of success.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
Fast Track funding — when NHS funding can be put in place quickly.

30/04/2026

Not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare — does that mean no NHS support at all?

Not necessarily.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #15
Funded Nursing Care — What You Need to Know

💡 If someone is assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) but is not found eligible, the NHS may still identify that they have nursing needs.

👉 In these cases, Funded Nursing Care (FNC) may be awarded.

💬 FNC is:

A payment made by the NHS
Paid directly to the care home
A contribution towards the cost of nursing care

👉 The current rate is £254.06 per week

💡 It is important to understand:

FNC is not means tested and is not paid to the individual — it is paid directly to the care home.

⚠️ Historically:

Care homes would deduct the FNC payment from the weekly fee payable by the resident.

👉 However, many modern care home contracts now state that:

The FNC payment is paid in addition to the weekly fee — not deducted from it.

💬 This means the resident may still pay the same weekly fee, with the NHS contribution sitting alongside this.

👉 It is therefore very important to:

Check your care home contract carefully to understand how FNC is applied.

💡 One key benefit of FNC:

Just like NHS Continuing Healthcare, eligibility should be reviewed regularly (usually annually).

👉 These reviews are important.

If care needs have changed or increased, this can be an opportunity to request a new full assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

⚠️ However, in practice:

Reviews can sometimes take place without the family, attorney or deputy being fully aware.

💬 For example:

A visit or call may be arranged directly with the care home
Families may not always be informed

👉 It is important to make it clear that:

You would like to be involved in any review process

💡 Ensuring you are present means:

You understand what is being discussed
You can contribute relevant information
You can help ensure that care needs are fully represented

💬 FNC can be helpful — but it should not be the end of the conversation if needs are increasing.

If you would like to talk through your situation, or understand whether a CHC reassessment may be appropriate, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals — what happens if funding is refused.

28/04/2026

What actually happens at an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment?

For many families, this is unfamiliar — and often overwhelming.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #14
NHS Continuing Healthcare — How Is Eligibility Decided?

💡 If a Checklist indicates potential eligibility, a full assessment will be carried out.

This is often referred to as a Decision Support Tool (DST) assessment.

👉 This is usually a multi-disciplinary meeting, which may involve:

A Nurse Assessor
Other healthcare professionals
A Social Worker (in some cases)
Family members or representatives

💬 The assessment considers a person’s needs across 12 care domains, including areas such as:

Mobility
Nutrition
Continence
Skin integrity
Cognition
Behaviour

👉 Each domain is assessed and given a level of need, ranging from:

No Needs → Low → Moderate → High → Severe → Priority

⚠️ It is important to understand:

Eligibility is not based on a diagnosis or a single score.

💡 Instead, the assessment looks at the overall picture, including how needs interact and the level of support required.

👉 To guide decision-making, four key characteristics are considered:

Nature — the type of needs and how they present
Intensity — how much care is required
Complexity — how needs interact
Unpredictability — how needs fluctuate and the risks involved

💬 These are central to determining whether a person has a primary health need.

⚠️ The process can feel complex.

👉 In practice:

A large amount of information may be considered in a short time
Families may not always know what evidence is important
It can be unclear how decisions are reached

💡 It’s not just about what care is being provided — it’s about how and why those needs arise, and what is required to manage them.

💬 Ensuring that care needs are fully understood and clearly presented can make a significant difference.

⚠️ If your loved one has had a Checklist completed, or a full CHC assessment (DST) is approaching, it is important to be prepared.

💡 The assessment process can be complex, and ensuring that needs are fully understood and clearly presented can make a real difference to the outcome.

If you would like support ahead of an assessment, or to talk through your options, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our final Bitesize Guide:
We’ll bring everything together and explain how you can get further support.

26/04/2026

Did you know that some people may not have to pay for their care at all?

This is one of the least understood areas of care funding.

🟦 Care Necessities Bitesize Guide #13
NHS Continuing Healthcare — What Is It and When Should It Be Considered?

💡 NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care that is:

👉 Fully funded by the NHS
👉 Based on a person’s care needs — not their finances

💬 This means:

If someone is eligible, the NHS will pay for the full cost of their care, whether that is provided:

At home
In a care home

⚠️ Many people who may be eligible are never assessed.

💡 So when should it be considered?

👉 Whenever a person has a Care Needs Assessment, there should also be consideration of whether they may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

💬 The first stage is usually a Checklist assessment.

👉 It is important to understand:

The Checklist is a screening tool
It does not determine eligibility
It simply decides whether a full assessment should take place

💡 A Checklist can be completed by:

A Social Worker
A healthcare professional
In some cases, care home staff

👉 If the Checklist indicates potential eligibility, a full assessment will be carried out.

This is often referred to as a Decision Support Tool (DST) assessment.

💬 Although CHC assessments can take place in a hospital setting, this is less common.

This is because a person may not yet have reached their baseline level of need.

👉 Assessments are more commonly carried out:

In a care home
Or in the person’s own home

💡 The NHS provides an essential and valued service, but the assessment process can be complex.

👉 In practice:

Assessors may have limited time to review records
Meetings can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming
It may not always be clear what evidence is being considered

💬 Families are often attending these meetings without fully understanding:

What is being assessed
What information is important
How decisions are reached

⚠️ If someone is paying privately for care, the financial impact can be significant.

💡 It is important to ensure that:

NHS Continuing Healthcare is properly considered
The process is understood
Care needs are fully and accurately presented

👉 Do not assume that someone else will raise this for you.

💬 In practice:

The NHS may not carry out an assessment unless requested
Local Authorities may not be involved if care is privately funded
Care homes may not always initiate the process

💡 Being proactive can make a significant difference.

If you would like to talk through NHS Continuing Healthcare, or understand how best to approach the assessment process, please feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help.

📞 01754 800551
📧 [email protected]

👉 In our next Bitesize Guide:
How NHS Continuing Healthcare is assessed, and what happens at a full assessment.