How is the Registered Nursing Care Contribution organised throughout the UK?
In October 2001 the Government introduced the Registered Nur- sing Care Contribution (RNCC) in England. This was the free nursing care for residents of nursing homes announced in the NHS Plan the previous year.
Nursing care is described as the costs of a registered nurse's time spent on providing, delegating or supervising care. Residents have their nursing needs assessed and can qualify for the RNCC at one of three levels: low at £35 a week, medium at £70 a week and high at £110 a week.
But the RNCC is paid directly to the care home and not to the care recipient. The Government hoped this would be passed on in reduced fees, but against a background of care homes closing at an unprecedented rate, it is hardly surprising that this has generally not been the case.
Wales has a single level RNCC of £100 per week that was introduced in December 2001 and Northern Ireland is due to introduce their version in October this year. Both are to be paid directly to the care home.
Scotland is the only part of the UK to pay for anything other than just nursing care. The scheme, introduced in July this year, pays a single rate for nursing care of £65 a week and £145 a week for personal care for those in residential care. It also makes personal assistance available through social services to those receiving care at home.
Clearly, care recipients in Scotland currently pay less than anywhere else in the UK ' but only due to the Scottish Executive's generous personal care contribution.
In contrast, Westminster has consistently affirmed it will not be following the lead set by the Scots as it is too expensive.
Brian Fisher
