Guernsey Residents in Long-Term Care May See Increased Payments

Residents of Guernsey who are in long-term care might incur higher costs should the States approve the recommendations put forth by Employment and Social Security (ESS). A policy letter has been issued by the committee, outlining proposed modifications to the Long-term Care Insurance Scheme (LCIS). These changes encompass the introduction of a user-pays contribution, potentially reaching £10,000, alongside an increase in existing co-payments. The aim is for these measures to tackle the difficulties confronting the care sector, given that both the expenses and the need for care are projected to grow. ESS President Peter Roffey stated: “We want to stabilise the private care home market, incentivise investment in the sector, and prolong the financial sustainability of the Long-term Care Fund.” The LCIS commenced operations two decades ago, initially designed for a 10 to 15-year duration. A comprehensive review was initiated nearly ten years ago to explore options for its ongoing operation. Funding for the scheme is derived from social security contributions and returns on investments from the Long Term Insurance Fund. However, projections indicate that the population aged over 85 in Guernsey will more than double within the coming decades. While 730 care beds are presently accessible, estimates suggest that an additional 130-plus beds will be required by the year 2030. Under the proposed user-pays system, individuals requiring bed-based care would contribute a sum of up to £10,000, subject to a means test. Subsequently, they would qualify for long-term care benefits to help cover the expenses. Furthermore, the weekly payment made by care recipients might rise from £342.02 to £514.00, implemented over a five-year transitional period, aiming to more accurately represent the true accommodation and living expenses. The proposals also include an update to the future policy for adjusting long-term care benefits, setting the increase at the rate of inflation (excluding mortgage payment increases) plus 1%, with this policy being subject to regular review. Deputy Roffey commented: “These are just some initial first steps. Further work will be needed in the next term of government to develop a more sustainable model of community long-term care and to secure the scheme’s long-term financial sustainability. The more immediate measures we are proposing are vital to mitigate short-term pressures and ensure the community can continue to access bed-based care services when they need them.” Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.