William Eichler 28 March 2025

Croydon woman breaks back after care funding cut

Croydon woman breaks back after care funding cut image
© Romberi / Shutterstock.com.

A woman in Croydon sustained a serious back injury using an NHS bed turning aid after the local authority cut funding for her night-time care.

The woman, who uses a wheelchair, received payments for care staff to help her overnight until January 2022.

However, after a reassessment, the council decided the woman’s overnight care should be funded by the NHS, which would only happen if she moved into a nursing home.

In 2023, while living at home, she told the council she was suffering from deep pressure sores and was subsequently admitted to hospital.

The NHS installed a bed turning aid in her home but on the second night of using it she fractured her spine.

The council told the Ombudsman it had started funding night-time care from August 2024 and intended to claim the money back from the NHS.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Ms Amerdeep Somal said: ‘While the council and NHS were deciding who should be responsible for this woman’s care package, she was left without adequate care and support and was hospitalised on multiple occasions.

‘If there is any question, once an assessment has been completed, of who is responsible for funding a care package, the person in need of support should never feel the impact of this on their health and welfare. The council should have considered putting in an interim plan while discussions were ongoing with the NHS.’

A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: ‘We are very sorry that we didn’t provide our resident with the care and support that she needed and accept the recommendations from the report. We have apologised and compensated them and will agree how she can pay for her care in the future, providing support as needed.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner