Can PCTs allow personal top-ups?
Question [A common example is when the relatives wish to move a person nearer to them and are willing to pay extra] Answer Not if the additional payment relates to core services covered by the fee negotiated with the care home as part of the contract. NHS Continuing Healthcare is mainstream NHS care just like any other. Top-up payments – whether for NHS Continuing Healthcare, hip replacements, heart operations or any of the other services the NHS provides – would contravene the principal that NHS care is generally provided free at the point of delivery. Where service providers offer additional services totally unrelated to the individual’s primary health needs – a hairdressing service for example – they may make a charge. However, individuals should be under no obligation to make use of such services.
