FEATURE


Disabled people have the same rights as anyone else to weigh up the risks and responsibilities in life.


health and personal care. It is our role to support them in those choices and responsibilities which might otherwise be a barrier to having a direct payment. Taking control of their own budget is an important step towards living independently.”


For those that are concerned about managing their own budgets, there are alternatives to managing the budget themselves, which can include a charity like Enham Trust managing funds on an individual’s behalf.


Across the UK there are an estimated 56,000 people who already qualify for


NHS funded care and who automatically became eligible to ask for a Personal Health Budget in April of this year. Many other people


will also become entitled after assessment under routine hospital discharge processes.


Children and young adults up to the age of 25 will also now qualify for a PHB, during changes introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014 at the beginning of September. Education, health and social care has now been integrated for young people with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disability. As the legislation is relatively new, it will take some time for the changes to fi lter through, but decisions


Case Study: Alex Mycawka


In 2009, at the age of 50, Alex Mycawka, a former soldier who had always been in good health, suffered an unexpected stroke.


Alex’s health changed considerably overnight and he regularly suffered seizures that left him dependant on others for his care and wellbeing. Alex was married at the time he became unwell and his wife became his main carer. Unfortunately, this put a considerable strain on their marriage and fi nally led to the couple’s separation. Feeling incredibly low, Alex became depressed by his circumstances.


After his initial hospital care, Alex had returned home — he was offered rehabilitation, but only ended up attending one session. He says that many of the people at the sessions were much older and at the age of 50, he still felt relatively young to have suffered a stroke. Many of the treatments being offered to him


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were very generic and didn’t suit his specifi c needs.


Sadly, Alex became so depressed that he attempted to commit suicide and was referred to the mental health team, who introduced him to Personal Health Budgets. They suggested that he should join a pilot scheme operating near him. A number of people with different health conditions were trialling the new system, whereby they would be given their own health budget and would have responsibility for managing their specifi c health and care needs.


He says that the scheme was a lifeline, as it allowed him to tailor his care to his circumstances. After suffering a stroke, Alex was keen to improve his health and mobility, but his application to a local gym had been turned down. Instead, he used his budget to purchase a drum kit, which allowed him to exercise his arms and legs.


Alex also used his budget to employ a personal assistant, who would


help him on a daily basis to open his post, as well as making sure that he took the correct medication and ate properly. Alex had become incredibly frightened at the prospect of opening letters after he became ill and it was impacting on his mental health — knowing that he would have help with this made a signifi cant difference to his wellbeing.


After the stroke, Alex’s short term memory was also affected, so he used his budget to purchase a SAT- NAV, which meant that he felt more confi dent to go out and he no longer felt socially isolated. He used this new found freedom to also help support other stroke survivors.


Alex commented: “Being able to help other people has made a signifi cant difference to my health, I feel a much more valuable person again. Having input into my care has also made a huge impact and has helped to improve my outlook.”


Now in a new relationship, Alex is determined to remain fi t and well.


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relating to PHBs will remain the responsibility of CCGs and other health commissioning bodies.


For anyone wanting to learn more about the effect of the new SEN reforms and how PHBs will work for children and young adults, Moore Blatch is organising a conference to be held at the Royal Society of Medicine on Monday 24th November. It is aimed at parents, education providers, disability charities, clinical commissioning group representatives, social care providers, clinicians, care agencies and care providers, GPs and health professionals, court of protection deputies, and personal injury and clinical negligence solicitors. For more details, click here.


www.mooreblatch.com


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