By Stephen Adams, Medical Correspondent

Norman Lamb, the care minister, said the option of having a ‘personal health budget’ would be made available to some 56,000 people in England with significant health needs. It would “put them back in control of their care,” he said.

The idea is to give people the power to choose exactly what care they need for their condition or disability – and buy it from whoever they like – rather than having it decided and provided by the NHS.

Charities for the elderly and disabled have broadly welcomed the initiative, which has been trialled for three years, but there are worries about some people misusing the money.

In the trials, which contained 2,700 people, one patient who suffered from depression used the budget to pay for a therapist and to begin a dress-making hobby.

Another who suffered from chronic lung disease used the money for singing lessons.

A male patient with motor neurone disease used his personal budget for a modified bicycle and a gym membership, while others spent budget cash on theatre visits, hotel stays and haircuts.

However, ministers believe the vast majority will use the money wisely, and that giving them control will markedly improve their lives.

Mr Lamb said: “Independent analysis has now shown that personal health budgets can put people back in control of their care and make a significant difference to their quality of life.

“It’s inspiring to hear the human stories of success that these budgets have brought to people.

“The evaluation shows that those with the greatest needs benefit most from personal health budgets. That’s why we are giving people on NHS continuing healthcare the chance to get one first.”

Patients will be able to access the budgets through their local NHS. They will have to work with clinicians to decide how to best spend the money to benefit their health.

Ministers are investing £1.5 million in the hope that by 2014, it will be available to 56,000 people on the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme. This scheme is for patients who suffer from complex medical conditions who require a lot of care and support. Mr Lamb said he hoped the budgets would in time be made available to others.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said: “So long as personal health budgets are well organised and easy to use, they will help a significant number of older people to plan and be in control of their health care.”

However, she added: ““Personal health budgets will not suit everyone, and may present confusing choices for some vulnerable older people struggling with illness or dementia.

“It is therefore essential that everyone who wants a personal health budget is well supported with the right advice and information, and those people for whom a personal health budget would not be appropriate, should not feel pressured into taking one up.”

There is also concern about what happens if a patient spends all their budget too fast, while some critics argue the initiative is a way of introducing fees for NHS services by the back door.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/