Government of Jersey

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A decision made (15/09/2006) regarding Hospital Charges - Long Stay Patients.

Subject:	Hospital Charges – Long Stay Patients
Decision Reference:	MD-H SS – 2006 00045		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:
Written report – Title	Hospital Charges Long-Stay Patients – 2006 Increase In Charges
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Jason Turner Director of Finance and Information
Decision(s): To increase the rate of hospital long stay charges by 2.9% in line with increases in welfare rates agreed by the Social Security Minister and Comité des Connétables.
Reason(s) for decision: To increase the fees for these services in line with welfare rates which are being increased by 2.9%
Action required: Inform the Director of Finance to increase the relevant charges with effect from 1st October 2006 Request the Law Draftsman to prepare an Order in pursuance of Article 2 of the Hospital Charges (Long-Stay Patients) (Jersey) Law 1999.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: 15 September 2006

Hospital Charges - Long Stay Patients.

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

HOSPITAL CHARGES LONG-STAY PATIENTS – 2006 INCREASE IN CHARGES

Introduction

Charges for elderly and mentally ill long-stay patients are reviewed on an annual basis. The last increase in accommodation charges and payments for ‘nursing care’ and ‘pocket money’ to both public and private residential homes was effective from 1st October 2005.

The Minister for Social Security has decided that the Welfare rates should be increased by the June RPI increase (2.90%) from October 2006, this was supported by the Comité des Connétables on 11th September 2006. This increase is above the 2.5% limit for price increases set by Treasury Financial Directions. Approval for a 2.9% increase has been sought and obtained from the Treasurer of the States.

It is therefore proposed that the 2006/7 Health and Social Services charges for long-stay care residents are also increased by 2.90%.

Proposed

Current w.e.f. 01/10/06 Increase

£ £ £

Accommodation Charges

Per Day 56.30 57.90 1.60

Per Week 394.10 405.30 11.20

‘Nursing Care’ Payment

Per Week 58.80 60.20 1.40

‘Pocket Money’ Payment

Per Week 26.00 27.00 1.00

Comments

1. The consequence of increasing the accommodation charges and the payments for ‘nursing care’ and ‘pocket money’ will result in both an increase in expenditure and income. The net effect will be an additional £64,000 being received in 2006/7 by the Health and Social Services Department. This will offset the increase costs associated with the purchase of high residential/nursing care beds in the community as part of the hospital discharge initiative;

2. The current accommodation charge to parishes for residential homes is £406.70 per week. This is to be uplifted by 2.90% from 1st October 2006 to £417.90 per week.

Recommendations

The Minister for Health & Social Services is recommended to:

· approve an increase in accommodation charges from £394.10 to £405.30 per week and payments for ‘nursing care’ and ‘pocket money’ from £58.80 to £60.20 per week and £26.00 to £27.00 per week respectively with effect from 1st October 2006;

· request the Law Draftsman to prepare an Order in pursuance of Article 2 of the Hospital Charges (Long-Stay Patients) (Jersey) Law 1999.