Athena Case Management

24/06/2026

Creating Memories Without Barriers

Accessibility at Elveden Forest, Center Parcs
Nestled within the Elveden Forest near Suffolk, Center Parcs has launched a stunning new enhanced family lodge specifically designed for guests with disabilities. A core mission for Center Parcs is to ensure that all guests are treated equally by providing a setting where families can create lasting memories, regardless of their individual needs.

A home away from home
For families with disabilities, a holiday can often be a challenge if the facilities aren’t equipped with the right assistive technology. This lodge was designed to change that, functioning as a true “home away from home” with specialised care at its heart.

Accessible bathroom at center parcsPressalit has contributed to the lodge’s high-end accessibility, which includes integrated ceiling track hoists and a sensory area. The bathroom is fully adapted with the Pressalit TL2 toilet lifter, which helps users transition safely between standing and sitting with a 400mm range and a 200kg capacity. To maximise dignity and independence, the lifter is paired with a Geberit wash-dry WC and Pressalit Plus support arms for added security.

The accessibility is further enhanced by a Pressalit Select height-adjustable basin lifter, which ensures the bathroom remains functional for the entire family; it can be easily lowered for seated users or raised for ambulant family members, while the Matrix Curve washbasin provides a comfortable and ergonomic design to lean into.

Changing Places make the village truly accessible
Beyond the lodge itself, the Elveden Forest village also features two Changing Places toilets, ensuring that families can enjoy all the park’s facilities without worrying about basic needs.

Pressalit is proud to collaborate with such an innovative company and to see their products making a difference in beautifully designed facilities for people with complex needs who require extra support.

Contact Pressalit directly for more information – phone 0118 923 2696

24/06/2026

Can We Help? NHS Continuing Healthcare Eligibility

NHS Continuing Healthcare eligibility falls despite unchanged rules
Thousands of people with serious health conditions may be missing out on NHS-funded care, according to new analysis from The King’s Fund.

The health think tank has found that eligibility rates for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) have fallen significantly over recent years, despite there being no change to the official criteria used to determine who qualifies.

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care arranged and funded entirely by the NHS for people whose primary need is related to their health. It can cover care provided in a person’s own home, a care home or another setting and is not means tested.

A particular area of concern is Fast Track NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is intended for people with a rapidly deteriorating condition that may be entering a terminal phase. The King’s Fund found that the proportion of Fast Track recipients later judged no longer eligible for NHS funding has increased by almost 30 per cent since 2017/18.

The findings raise questions about whether access to NHS-funded care is becoming more restrictive in practice, even though the legal framework and eligibility rules have remained the same.

Key points:
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) provides fully funded care for people with significant health needs.
The King’s Fund has found falling eligibility rates despite no changes to the official rules.
The proportion of Fast Track recipients later found ineligible has risen by almost 30% since 2017/18.
People denied CHC may face care costs of thousands of pounds each month.
Eligibility depends on the nature and complexity of a person’s needs, not their diagnosis or finances.
Major financial consequences
The issue is particularly significant because of the high cost of social care.

Care home fees can easily exceed £6,000 per month, meaning that people who are not awarded NHS Continuing Healthcare may have to fund their own care through savings, pensions or the sale of property.

Campaigners and legal specialists say some families only discover that their relative may have been entitled to NHS funding after spending substantial sums on care. In some cases, decisions are later overturned following appeals.

For older and disabled people with complex needs, the difference between qualifying for CHC and being assessed as ineligible can have life-changing financial consequences.

Calls for closer scrutiny
The King’s Fund is calling for a review of how Continuing Healthcare operates as part of a wider examination of the relationship between the NHS and social care.

The organisation argues that the current system can be confusing for patients and families, with decisions often involving complex assessments of whether a person’s needs are primarily health-related or social care-related.

As governments continue to explore ways of improving integration between health and social care services, the report suggests that NHS Continuing Healthcare should receive greater attention to ensure people with the highest levels of need receive the support to which they are entitled.

Understanding NHS Continuing Healthcare
Many people are unaware that NHS Continuing Healthcare exists until a relative requires long-term care.

Eligibility is not based on a diagnosis, disability or financial circumstances. Instead, assessors consider the nature, intensity, complexity and unpredictability of a person’s needs to determine whether they have a “primary health need”.

People who believe they may be entitled to NHS Continuing Healthcare can request an assessment through their local NHS services.

With demand for both health and social care continuing to grow, the new findings are likely to renew debate about whether the current system is consistently identifying those who qualify for NHS-funded support.

18/06/2026

What We Do For You

Athena Case Management offers clear, coordinated support to help individuals understand and access the services provided by their local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).

We guide clients through complex care pathways, ensuring they receive the right support, at the right time, from the right part of the system.

About Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)

ICBs are statutory NHS organisations responsible for planning and funding health services for local populations across England.

They have taken over commissioning responsibilities previously managed by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and oversee the majority of the local NHS budget.

ICBs play a central role in:

Planning local health services

Allocating NHS resources

Coordinating care across providers

Improving population health outcomes

How Athena Supports You

Personalised case coordination across ICB pathways

Clear guidance on available services and eligibility

Support with referrals, assessments, and care planning

Advocacy to ensure clients’ needs are understood and met

Navigation of multidisciplinary teams and community services

Why It Matters

The NHS landscape can be overwhelming. Athena Case Management ensures clients never have to navigate it alone.

We bring clarity, structure, and support to every step of the journey.

Athena Case ManagementEmpowering clients. Simplifying care pathways. Supporting better outcomes.

Get in touch for more information:

0116 2339356 or 0753371012

18/06/2026

Your Support Your Way

09/06/2026

20/04/2026

National Audit Office, Report on Shared Ownership Housing

A new investigation by the National Audit Office has reinforced concerns about shared ownership housing, warning that many buyers still do not fully understand the long-term financial risks, including rising service charges and costly staircasing fees.

Shared ownership schemes for buying a property in especially in older age may appear a very attractive way of “rightsizing” – moving into a suitable property at a reasonable cost.

Although there are many government-backed schemes that remains open to new older applicants, the NAO has warned that shared ownership buyers continue to face affordability pressures, rising service charges and unclear long-term costs.

20/04/2026

Tips for Managing Stress

Many people are experiencing higher levels of stress than usual. Rising living costs, pressures on health and social care services, and the challenges of managing long-term conditions or caring responsibilities can all take a toll on mental and physical wellbeing.

Research consistently shows that stress can affect sleep, energy levels, and overall health – and also that small, practical steps can make a meaningful difference.

Quick ways to reduce stress today

*Get outside for 10–15 minutes – fresh air and natural light can quickly lift your mood

*Speak to someone you trust – a quick chat can help put things into perspective

*Take a short break from screens and notifications
Focus on your breathing for a few minutes – slow, steady breaths can calm your mind

*Do one small, manageable task to regain a sense of control
Listen to music, read, or do something you enjoy for a short reset

20/04/2026

Smart new look for Airospring cushion

Airospring AS200 cushion refreshed with smart new look
Airospring has introduced an updated version of its popular AS200 pressure relief cushion, combining the same trusted pressure care performance with a more contemporary, discreet new design.

Already well established as a lightweight and breathable alternative to traditional foam and gel cushions, the AS200 is designed to support people who spend long periods sitting, whether in a wheelchair, at home, at work or in other everyday seating environments.

For more information:

https://www.airospring.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooohAoL6HS3eaQVhQqgSJRDEWQbM9K6G34gjNMTkHKeoMxn4Zre