Alarm at CMA Guidance and Support from RWK
At the conference, Royds Withy King spoke of their concern at the impact of the new proposals in the report from the CMA enquiry into the care market and offer support to Care Association members. They emphasis that their focus is to protect the Care Provider whereas the CMA look to protect the consumer only.
"It is now becoming clearer to us that it is imperative that care providers review their service user contracts. There is more information about our service user contracts on our website here and there are downloadable documents with more information below.
The Care Association Alliance say:
"The draft CMA Guidance came out last week and is far more extensive than we expected. As a result we think most providers are going to have to make changes to their contracts and admissions processes in order to be compliant, particularly around the following:
1. The provision of prescribed information to prospective residents at three separate stages: on first contact, before they accept an offer of a place and on confirmation and finalisation of the offer
2. Charging of upfront fees and deposits
3. Charging fees on death.
4. Increasing fees
5. The use of guarantors
6. FNC payments
7. Fees when a person is absent"
Royds Withy King are offering a model contract with guidance notes at discounted rates (with 5% rebate for the care association). The discount is dependent upon the numbers of members who sign up. There is a separate contract for residential/nursing and homecare."
They are also offering a bespoke option if providers want a tailored version of the contract and detailed advice on implementation.
These attachments provide full details: