Wellness Report
What is a Wellness Report?
A comprehensive report following physical attendance with a person in receipt of care.
What does a report cover?
As professional Deputies or Attorneys you will be concerned and under an obligation to frequently consider the wellness of your client. This duty extends to financial Deputies/Attorneys given that there is an obligation to consider whether the individual may be entitled to free NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.
To assist, Care Necessities has developed a Wellness Report, which comprises firstly a visit to the client and following that visit, provision of a comprehensive report.
What will happen at the assessment?
One of our trained Assessors, who has previous medical, or care experience will visit the client. The Assessor will, during the visit:
- Observe the client and the client’s surroundings.
- Read the care home records.
- Assess the level of care the client is in receipt of.
- Assess whether the care is adequate for the client’s needs, and make suggestions, if appropriate, for improvements to the care plan.
- Highlight any safeguarding issues.
- Report on current medication.
- Consider eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding including current future and/or retrospective.
- Address any issues raised by you.
What will the report cover?
All the above will be presented in the form of a comprehensive report, which will assist you to make further decisions on the work to be undertaken on behalf of the client and will help ensure you meet your obligations contained within the OPG Professional Deputy Standards (revised 2023).
What are the OPG Standards?
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) introduced Professional Deputy Standards in 2015 that required Deputies to comply with certain expectations. These standards have since been revised in February 2023, and are now referred to as the OPG Deputy Standards 2023. The main provisions are:
1a. Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA); the Code of Practice; and guidance published by the OPG to support with the execution of their duties.
1c. Reports must be submitted each year or when requested by the OPG.
2b. Include P in the decision making, noting any wishes or feelings.
3a. Deputies must visit P at least once a year, demonstrating an awareness of the need to visit and provide justification for more visits if necessary.
4a. Checking claims and benefits are up to date, including Deputies reviewing benefits at least yearly.
4c. Meeting tax obligations and planning, being mindful of when to seek Specialist advice.
4d. Managing investments, including optimising P’s estate, and getting the best by way of cost-effective measures.
4e. Managing financial liabilities, making sure any debts owed are paid on time.
Seeking specialist advice on this issue not only ensures OPG compliance, but enables you to offer the best service for your clients at reasonable cost.