Campaigners took their battle to the High Court to challenge a CCG’s decision to stop paying £600,000 to fund a children’s respite centre in Hertfordhire.
Families asked the High Court to review how NHS Herts Valleys CCG decided to stop fully funding the Nascot Lawn respite centre for children and young people.
Mr Justice Mostyn heard the evidence in a two-day hearing in London this week and could make a ruling in the next six weeks.
Campaigners took their battle to the High Court to challenge a CCG’s decision to stop paying £600,000 to fund a children’s respite centre in Hertfordhire.
Families asked the High Court to review how NHS Herts Valleys CCG decided to stop fully funding the Nascot Lawn respite centre for children and young people.
Mr Justice Mostyn heard the evidence in a two-day hearing in London this week and could make a ruling in the next six weeks.
The CCG’s finance and performance committee decided to stop funding the centre in Watford at its meeting in November.
It also considered a proposal to provide up to £100,000 a year until next March as part of a joint-funding model with Hertfordshire County Council, but heard that the council had not confirmed that it would provide core funding.
However the CCG ‘agreed to support respite provision in the county to the value of £100,ooo’.
The decision followed a consultation of parents and health professionals.
The CCG initially decided last summer to stop funding the respire centre but reviewed its decision following protests from families.
Speaking after the November meeting CCG chair Dr Nicolas Small said: ‘This decision is one of our most challenging that we have faced and meeting with the Nascot Lawn families has been one of the most humbling engagement processes that we have ever undertaken. As individuals we cannot fail to be affected by the difficulties the children and their families face. We fully recognise their need for respite care but this must be a matter for the county council.’
‘The CCG will remain fully committed to helping the council in the transfer arrangements following the council’s offer to families.’
The CCG said it would not comment until the outcome of the court hearing is known but chief executive Kathryn Magson said it ‘will continue funding health services to meet the needs of children, young people and their families, including mental health services, medicines, children’s community nursing, palliative care for those with life-limiting conditions, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy and special school nursing.’
