THE brother of a Northwich man at the centre of a dispute over free health care is looking to set up a support group in Mid Cheshire.
Stephen Johnson, a lawyer of Strawberry Lane, Acton Bridge, is fighting Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust over funding for the care of his brother, Joseph.
The 53-year-old, who now resides at Redwalls Nursing Home in Sandiway, suffered a brain haemorrhage last year and is paralysed on his left side, incontinent and epileptic.
Despite his severe medical problems, Mr Johnson has had to fund his care requirements, costing £600 per week. Stephen Johnson challenged the PCT's refusal to fund his brother, claiming that the Trust is acting unlawfully, and is now looking to get in contact with families who have had similar experiences.
He said: 'There could be thousands of people affected by this, but often they won't know about free continuing health care as the PCTs don't give people all the information - I only found out about it from a friend.
'I am looking for people who have been through the same sorts of experiences as I have to get in touch. Even if the person has since died, families can still claim back money retrospectively.'
* Mr Johnson can be contacted on 01606 852250 or at supertanka@hotmail.com.
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