The Reality of Round-the-Clock Care

Available for over a year

Seriously ill patients and their families can be eligible for round-the-clock home care through the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme. However, some are warning that the system is struggling to provide the support they need. There's been a significant increase in spending on the scheme over the past four years, but experts are still warning that staff shortages and rising prices mean it is difficult for families to find enough help. Declan, 24, has a condition which causes his muscles to progressively weaken and when home care isn't available within the NHS budget, it's left to his mum Alex to take on much of his round-the-clock care. For this episode of 5 Minutes On, BBC journalist Adam Eley shares their story.