Currently, when a child is placed outside their home area theirhealthcare is paid for in line with where their GP is based. This meansprimary care trusts in the areas they have moved to - known as receivingprimary care trusts - usually cover the costs.
However, imminent changes to NHS regulations, first proposed in 2002,will say the decision should be based on the location of the GP wherethe child was registered at the time of placement. This will mean theplacing trust will become responsible.
Kevin Williams, chief executive at The Adolescent & Children's Trust,which specialises in fostering and adoption, said there was currentlyconfusion as to who should pay. "We come across the problem time andtime again when the receiving authority refuses to pay for services,resulting in a delay in the child's care, such as accessing child andadolescent mental health services."
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