Pensioner paying almost £3,000 a week for care
Thursday 23rd June 2011, 2:58PM BST.
More than 40 people turned up for the meeting
THE hardship faced by some of Jersey’s most vulnerable Islanders was yesterday revealed during the first public meeting into radical reforms of the health service.
During the meeting, a pensioner told how he is spending £3,000 a week on 24-hour healthcare for his wife.
The 70-year-old man, who wants to remain anonymous, said that his wife wanted to remain living independently at home which was why he had to pay for private nursing care at £15 an hour.
‘I cannot be the only one in Jersey with this problem. I work hard and will carry on working until I die at this rate,’ he said.
More than 40 Islanders turned up at the Royal Jersey Showground in Trinity last night for a presentation by Health chief executive Julie Garbutt and Health Minister Anne Pryke.
• See Thursday’s JEP for the full report
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£3000 a week, I don’t even earn that in a month.
I would expect the nurses to wear amazing outfits at that price.
Is the food coming from Bohemia?
The shower fittings might be gold plated and the bed sheets made of silk.
I would prefer to stay in a 5 star hotel with room service at that price.
What s wrong with people??? Is it compulsory to rip of people in Jersey?
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Dont worry it’s just a typo, the correct amount is 3000 per month and upwards.
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3k a week… madness..
I have a few friends working in the care homes as nurses… All they are paid per hour barely above minimum wage…
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“Is it compulsory to rip of people in Jersey?” – Yes.
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@2 Toastedteacakes
I don’t think it is a typo, as it states 24/7 care @ £15 an hour, which throwing the numbers into the abacus gives 15*24*7 = £2520, so allowing £480 to cover 3 shift handovers each day and maybe some equipment etc. (but then it does say 24hour cover, so is night time 1.5x ?)
Anyway, the point is, it’s damn expensive however you look at it, £156,000 a year.
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Its not a typo – it costs £3000 a week – its ridiculous
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This is not an enforced situation, it is by choice, the lady wants to remain at home and therefore has to pay for the privilege of doing so. She is very fortunate to be able to afford to do so.
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A joke!!! These people have probably paid tax thier whole live and for what!? Give your all to recieve your less!!
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I presume if this PRIVATE care was any cheaper the carers would be paid with fresh air and good wishes!!!
£3000 is a lot of cash but not a lot considering you are getting 24 hour care. If you dont want PRIVATE 24 hour a day care then go into a home simple
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Mack
It is not expensive at all.
Based on 5 people “caring” for 33.5 hours each per week (to cover 24/7 care), each earning £15 per hour it would amount to GBP 502.50 per week or £26,130 each per annum.
This is not a great salary by Jersey standards. The total cost would be £130,650 on wages alone.
What does this gentleman expect for hiring 5 people around the clock?
Martin
Why is it a joke?
This couple have chosen to be independent, requiring round the clock care. Who else do you propose should pay for this?
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this island is run by idiots i can say. anyway who run Jersey? it seems no one !
you have simply to put contributions up to 12% (same as sole trader) for the people (employees) earning more than £4000 a month or £6000 a month per couple (bit more if children) !!!
how much this will earn to the states?, ask them !!
It is time that well living people contribute to this island !!! I mean : lawyers, solicitors, accountants, managers, bankers, hedge funds managers, trust managers….
There is many of them here in Jersey and can someone remind the maximum you pay for contributions per month ? why a rich trust manager should pay less contributions than a sole trader working hard and trying to make a living ?
Actually a family with 1 child earning £50000 a year will pay the same contributions than another family earning £100 000 per year !!! is that fair ? absolutely not !! it is normal for the top jobs people to pay more contributions !!
it is time for the rich to pay more.
People working hard to make a living shouldnot have to pay for the richs !!!
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@Parktown Prawn
You lost me there.
If you pay £3000 a week for health care it is £156 000 you have to pay a year.
This should cover 6 staff wages for a year.
6 staff should cover may be 10 pensioners.
10×156 000= £15 600 000
That leave you with £15 444 000 per year to cover the rent, food, special equipment…
Well well…
I might be wrong but …
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12
Private nursing care is £15 an hour (according to this article).
There are only 168 hours in a week.
Average working week is 35 hours.
168/35 = 4.8 people.
Round up to make 5 people which in turn equates to approx 33.5 working hrs per week each.
I haven’t taken into account any overtime (which could mean fewer carers and extra wages being paid) or any other costs involved – just wages for the carers.
Is that clearer?
Your figures do not add up.
(10 x 156,000 = 1,560,000)
The article is about ONE man paying £3k per week for around the clock private nursing care for his wife. This means a full 168 hours per week or 8736 hours per annum – solely for his wife.
Presumably thsi would juct be for the nursing care, medical equipment and maybe even some medication. The gentleman and his wife will still need to pay their own rent and feed themselves.
Why are you conjuring up figures for 10 other pensioners? It is irrelevant in this matter.
You may be getting confused by comparing the costs of a care home and the subject at hand, which is someone paying for private nursing care in their own home so the wife can remain independent. She is not in a care home.
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5. Mack you had better ensure that you purchase a house worth 500,000, once you’ve sold it to the states, that will give you 5 years care.
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