Direct Payments for Healthcare consultation

A public consultation on changes to the regulations for direct payments for healthcare is published today. Direct payment, where money is given directly to an individual for the management of their NHS care, is one way of managing a personal health budget. They are currently only lawful within DH-approved pilot sites. The Government’s intention is to roll out personal health budgets more widely, including extending the use of direct payments, by updating the regulations so that they can be offered across the country. The closing date for responses is 26 April 2013.