>>Mum: I am so fed up with people coming in and out of our house, day and night, it's
not fair, Samantha it's not on is it?
>>Dad: I know exactly what you mean. They disturb my football, they come as they please,
it seems to suit them, not Samantha.
>>Mum: Some of the carers are so rude. On their phones, never do anything for Samantha.
Look at her, she doesn't even talk any more, she's so depressed.
>>Rachel (family friend): I've come to let you know that I know of someone who's got
a personal health budget.
>>Mum (Interjects): What's a personal health budget?
>>Rachel: Well if you phone your social worker up and ask, they should be able to help you
with it.
>>Mum: Ooh, Samantha, there might be some good news for us!
>>Voiceover: The Archer Swifts are not happy with Samantha's care. They have been told
about something called a 'personal health budget'.
A personal health budget is an agreed amount of money to support someone's health needs.
The budget is discussed and agreed with the NHS
>>Mum: (on phone to social worker): Hello?
>>Social worker: Hello
>>Mum: Hello, my name is Mrs Archer Swift. I'm calling for you because I'm not happy
with the care what Samantha's getting at the moment. I heard about this personal health
budget?
>>Social worker: Well, I'm glad you have rung because Samantha is due for a review, and
this is a good opportunity for us to have a look at whether her needs have changed,
and whether a personal health budget might be
suitable.
>>Mum: Oh, that is good news then. (To Samantha) Ooh, Samantha, I think we might be getting
somewhere, love.
>>Michael: When can I visit?
>>Mum: Ooh, tomorrow will be fine. Thank you, bye.
>>Social worker: Bye
>> Mum: Ooh, Samantha, wait 'til your dad comes home. We can tell him from fishing what
is going to go ahead.
>>Voiceover: The social worker and family think a personal health budget might be a
good idea. They arrange to have an assessment with a nurse from the CCG.
>>Nurse: Hello.
>>Family: Hello.
>>Nurse: Hello, I'm the nurse practitioner, Kathryn. (To mum) Are you mum?
>>Mum: Yes, I'm Mrs Archer Swift.
>>Nurse: Lovely to meet you. (To Samantha) And you must be Samantha? Nice to meet you
Samantha. (To dad) And are you dad?
>>Dad: Yes, nice to meet you.
>>Nurse: Aah, well thank you for inviting me.
>>Mum: That's OK.
>>Nurse: So I've come to tell you a little bit about personal health budgets, and decide
whether you want to have an assessment for one.
>>Dad: I read in the newspaper that people are using it to pay for rides on pedalo boats.
Can we have one of them?
>>Nurse: Everybody is assessed differently, so depending on what Samantha's needs are,
we can look at what the best outcomes that we want to achieve for Samantha are.
The reason that we are doing this is because people with long term health needs are taking
up 64% of all outpatient appointments, and 70% of inpatient beds.
So personal health budgets is really to try to reduce the pressure on the NHS and actually
get people that have got long term health conditions more active, more healthy, and
living longer. So, you know, if there was something that we assessed that would meet
Samantha's outcomes then I'm sure that would be absolutely fine.
>>Dad: At the moment she has five care calls a day, and it must be costing a fortune. But
she gets very little out of it. The staff barely have time to do their care duties before
they are called away.
>>Nurse: So shall we get on with the assessment then?
>>Dad: Ooh yes, (to mum) what do you think love?
>>Mum: I think yeah, I think it will make Samantha much more happier.
>>Dad: It's put a smile on her face already
>>Nurse: Fantastic. So let's get on with the assessment then!
>>Voiceover: Personal health budgets can help to give people with long term health conditions
and disabilities more choice and control. It is not about new money, but spending money
differently to meet an individual's needs.
Currently, adults who are eligible for Continuing Healthcare, and children with continuing care,
are eligible for a personal health budget. During 2015/16, local CCGs will be expanding
their 'local offer' which means more people will be eligible.
To find out more about personal health budgets, go to https://www.england.nhs.uk/healthbudgets/