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The top band of the registered nursing care contribution could be abolished as part of government plans to introduce a national framework for NHS continuing care, writes Mithran Samuel. 

In evidence to the health committee continuing care inquiry, health minister Stephen Ladyman admitted there was confusion between the two systems which the national framework had to resolve.

He said: “If we find a way that’s financially sustainable then I’m not going to take [abolition of the high band of RNCC] off the table.”

But he said it could take up to a year to devise the proposed continuing care framework.

RNCC is supposed to cover the nursing costs of people who are ineligible for free continuing care, because they do not have a primary health need.

However, the health ombudsman has said that people with significant health needs have not been assessed for continuing care and given the far cheaper top band of RNCC instead.

Ladyman’s move was welcomed by the ombudsman’s head of continuing care Colin Houghton, who also appeared before the committee today.

However, he warned it needed quick resolution, adding: “We get a lot of complaints on this issue.”

Ombudsman Ann Abraham, who was also due to give evidence today, was unable to attend the session.