Residents in nursing homes struggling to pay bills too
I SEE that Deputy Peter Roffey has been successful in getting the rates raised for people on benefits and Mr Camp, through his column, places the position of the middle classes in today’s hard times.
Both are being hit but there is one group of people being left behind – the people and kin of people in nursing homes. These homes have steadily put their rates up but the grant has remained stable.
A good proportion of people in these homes do not receive a full grant so are left to pay the monthly bills which also includes toiletries used by the patient each month, chiropodist fees and, if needed, doctor’s fees. Although these patients cannot attend a surgery they are charged a full call-out fee of £125 per visit. My bill for one month was £500 and £90-plus for a visit to A&E where nothing was found wrong.
Surely doctors should reduce call-out fees for people in nursing homes as they cannot attend a surgery. I must point out all these visits were in working hours. This of course drains on the kin left – mainly middle class – who are left with the problems of heating, food, etc.
P BARRETT