Do you feel lucky?

Continuing care should be given to everyone when they need it. But the current system is hampered by a postcode lottery, depriving many because of where they live – and this is only going to get worse.

New government guidelines have increased the eligibility for access to ‘Continuing NHS Healthcare’ by more than 5,000, Age Concern says. Yet in many areas of the UK vulnerable people are seeing reductions in the services offered.

If you live in Mid Essex, Sandwell and Wandsworth, the situation can’t get much worse.

All three authorities have reduced the continuing care services offered by more than 80%. East Riding, meanwhile, halved the number of people receiving continuing care – some achievement considering they had the second-lowest number of service users in the first place.

The gap between the worst Primary Care Trusts and the best is one that deserves much consternation and head-scratching, and is evidence of the postcode lottery facing people who access healthcare.

If you live in Coventry and Plymouth you’re in luck – both have reported a growth in the number of people using the service. Better still, Derby, which had the lowest number of people accessing continuing care in 2007 – 1.5 people per 50,000 – has grown to 25 people per 50,000.

How some PCTs can offer such extensive continuing healthcare while others fail is a mystery, but by naming and shaming Age Concern has successfully highlighted the inequalities found throughout the UK.

In the case of some – particularly Derby – it’s great to see moves being made in the right direction, and the PCTs should be praised for raising the standards. But this still remains a postcode lottery that needs cracking.