From Robin Lovelock: In his reply dated 4th November Mr Brittain explains that he is not able to add anything about long care funding beyond that expressed by his colleage Jenny Mudge (see JREID1 ) and draws my attention to the disclaimer on the Care Direct website. He goes on to say that "the Care Direct website will soon be closing down".

22 Armitage Court, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks SL5 9TA.
Tel: 01344 620775 email: robin@nhscare.info
Our Ref: CAREDIR1.RTF 16th October 2003

Paul Brittain, Policy Manager, Care Direct,
Room 214, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UG

Copies:
Pamela Coughlan, Derek Cole, Stephen Squires, David Gooch, Monica Perrott (by email).
www.nhscare.info, Others as required.

Dear Mr Brittain,

Subject: Care Direct, Coughlan & www.NHSCare.info

Many Thanks for your time on the 'phone on 8th October. Here is the letter I mentioned during our conversation. Steve Squires, mentioned below, suggested that I should contact caredirect.gov.uk and request that you add a link to www.nhscare.info - our 'Coughlan Campaign' website which provides practical and detailed guidance to those wishing to claim their right to 100% NHS funding of long term care.

I am supported by Pamela Coughlan, Derek Cole and the winners of the Dorset and Berkshire Ombudsman's rulings: Steve Squires and David Gooch. We, along with Paul Burstow, MP, have done much to raise public awareness of this £10 billion scandal.

On visiting your links page I was disappointed to see links to organizations who still provide misleading information to the public to aid their own business of selling long term care related products and services. We are hoping that you might visit our site, seek better legal advice on the situation regarding 100% NHS funding of long term care, then make appropriate changes to your web site and advice provided by your four call centres.

I understand from our 'phone conversation that NHS funding of CareDirect ceases at the end of this financial year, and that control has already been passed to the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP). We would therefore like to know more of what led to this decision, what will happen after March 2004, and who we should contact in the future related to the subject of long term care funding advice from this organization.

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Yours Sincerely,

Robin Lovelock