A Birmingham care home has been found at fault for failing to assess a resident’s eligibility for Continuing Health Care (CHC).

A Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman investigation instructed Anchor’s Tandy Court to make a £250 payment to the resident’s family for distress caused.

The complainant, referred to as Ms X, said the care home had failed to assess her mother (Mrs Y) for eligibility for CHC after her condition deteriorated significantly while she was not able to visit during Covid.

The Ombudsman found the home had incorrectly assumed they could only make a referral for CHC when they were no longer able to meet a resident’s needs. Anchor also acknowledged that Mrs Y’s care plan had not been properly updated.

The care provider agreed to help Ms X apply for backdated CHC and make a written apology along with a £250 payment.

Tandy Court also agreed to create a policy for all staff detailing actions to take if a CHC checklist is requested and conduct monthly care plan reviews in line with its policy.

Charmah Gauntlett, district manager for Tandy Court, said: “We would like to offer our sincere apologies for any distress caused in respect to the resident’s care and apologise our services did not meet the high standards we hold. 

“This is an isolated incidence and we have followed all of the actions and recommendations made in the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman review to ensure our internal processes are as robust as possible including: creating a policy for all colleagues detailing the actions they should take if a CHC checklist is requested; and ensuring all colleagues conduct monthly reviews of care plans and update care plans when changes to a resident’s needs are identified at a review. The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents is paramount.”