Funding Update

Our Future Funding 

Carers in Hertfordshire receive funding from a number of different sources. However our main carers services are funded through a service contract we have with Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS Primary Care Trusts. (PCTs)

In April this year, we were informed that because of the financial deficit experienced by the Hertfordshire NHS, the PCTs intended to review the funding they provide to us.

At the end of September we learned that the PCTs have made a decision to cut our funding by 50% which amounts to approximately £90,000 per annum. This proposed loss of funding would affect our core services to adult and to young carers.

Whilst we understand and have sympathy for the difficult financial situation of the NHS, we do not accept their decision, on the grounds that:

	It is, in our opinion, a breach of the contract we have, which is a legally binding agreement.
	It is an unwise decision by the NHS PCTs that will not address their financial problems, since reducing support to carers will only have the effect of increasing costs to the NHS and to statutory social care in the county.

Since our contract is a joint one with Herts County Council (HCC) as co-signatories, they are also involved in the discussions about this matter and HCC have expressed their support of our views. Further discussion is planned between all parties. The NHS will be referring the matter to the new Chief Executive of the Hertfordshire Primary Care Trusts.   

We will keep you informed of these matters and in the meantime we will continue to provide our services - it is “business as usual “.  

If you wish to express your views on this subject, please contact us or write to:

Ann Walker,
Chief Executive,
Hertfordshire NHS Primary Care Trusts,
Charter House,
Parkway
Welwyn Garden City
AL8 6JL

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Carers in Hertfordshire. A Company Limited by Guarantee.
Registered Company Number413036 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity Number 1085491
Registered Office: Hertfordshire Carers Centre, The Red House,
119 Fore Street, Hertford, Herts SG14 1AX

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