SERIOUSLY ill people could be given out-of-area care placements as the NHS in York struggles with an ongoing financial crisis.

As part of measures to save almost £50 million from the Vale of York budget over the next four years, managers are considering offering care placements in areas which are less expensive than York.

The plans mean people with long term health conditions, such as cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, could be offered care home placements in areas surrounding the Vale of York including Doncaster, Leeds and Wakefield.

Concern has been raised that vulnerable patients could be moved long distances from their families, causing isolation and distress, however Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has insisted suitability of placements will be considered alongside cost. It said placements in neighbouring areas could even be geographically closer for some residents.

Judith King, Alzheimer’s Society’s regional operations manager for Yorkshire & Humber, said she had “serious concerns” about the plan.

“People living with dementia benefit greatly from regular visits from loved ones when they are in residential care and many older carers no longer drive, so would rely on public transport to travel to make these visits. Public transport in rural areas in particular is poor, so these visits would be long, time-consuming and tiring for carers.

“It is wrong that the CCG is considering this move which will have a hugely detrimental impact on some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Care needs to focus on best quality and appropriate support for the individual and moving people away from their family and friends does not fit into any model of person centred care.”

As part of plans to save £47.7 million, Vale of York CCG said it wants to make savings of £9.6 million from the continuing healthcare budget which supports people with long term health conditions. One of the ways this could be delivered was through “out of area placements in localities where the cost of care is lower than York”, a report has outlined.

James Player, of Age UK York, said the elderly could be especially affected. He said: “Most of us like to stay close to home and older people in particular because of transport difficulties. If it’s an elderly couple they may have mobility problems themselves. There’s a risk of isolation.... I’m concerned about the distress it might cause.”

Meanwhile, Parkinson’s UK said it was concerned about any reductions in continuing healthcare spending.

Tracy Westgarth, area development manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “There is a significant risk that these budget cuts may be achieved by reducing the number of people eligible for NHS continuing healthcare – which could leave hundreds of people with a degenerative neurological condition struggling without any support. We call on the Vale of York CCG to ensure that the NHS continuing healthcare budget is safeguarded so it can support people living with Parkinson’s.”

Vale of York CCG said that for people living near its boundaries it may be that “providers in neighbouring CCGs are able to offer a closer placement option for the patient and their families”.

Nearby NHS areas bordering York - and areas that patients may be offered care in - include Leeds North, Wakefield, Doncaster, Scarborough and Ryedale, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby, Harrogate rural district and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

A spokesperson for Vale of York CCG said: “To identify the most appropriate package for our patients, our work includes extending our search to providers outside of the Vale of York boundary. This can occur where there are patients who live near and around the CCG boundary and it may well be that providers in neighbouring CCGs are able offer a closer placement option for the patient and their families.

“We don’t exclude these providers from our consideration just because geographically they are outside the Vale of York footprint.”

Continuing healthcare is a package of care funded solely by the NHS for adults with a significant health need.

It can fund care at home or in placements in care homes, covering care home fees, including board and accommodation.

Vale of York’s total spend on continuing healthcare last year was £25.985 million.

Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group is classed as being in special measures because of ongoing financial struggles and is being overseen by NHS England.

A recent report suggests the end of year deficit for 2016/17 stands at £23.8m. Next year’s deficit is predicted to be be £44.1m and £53.9m by 2018/19.