Northwich Guardian Homes - property, flats and houses for sale or to let in Northwich, Mid Cheshire

Man given ray of hope about brother’s case

From the archive, first published Wednesday 30th Aug 2006.

A MAN who is fighting to force a health authority to pay for his sick brother's care is to have the case reviewed by an independent panel.

Stephen Johnson, of Strawberry Lane, Acton Bridge, says Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust is acting unlawfully by expecting his brother Rod to pay for his care.

Rod, 53, had a massive stroke on May 24 last year.

He was treated in Warrington Hospital and transferred to Northwich on September 7.

He then moved to Redwalls Nursing Home, Sandiway, on March 10 where he is being looked after.

Rod is paying for this himself because the authority refuses to foot the bill.

Under the current system the NHS will meet all costs of long-term care if it is deemed to be for medical reasons.

A date for the independent review will be set some time in the next eight weeks.

Stephen said: "It's a bit strange really because normally you have a local review first and then if that fails you have an independent panel.

"It is a step in the right direction. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will move things forward.

"They are asking for Rod's medical records and mental health records. This process could have been started before.

"Hopefully they will be trying to get rid of me."

Stephen is campaigning hard to raise the issue of long-term care, not only for the sake of his own family, but also as a matter of principle that could benefit others like them.

He is hoping to set up a support group of people who have problems with continuing care, not with the elderly but a younger age group.

Anyone who is interested should ring 01606 852250.