WE CAN fully understand the concerns of Emily Chicken’s family after they were told she is no longer eligible for continuing health care funding.

They currently find themselves in limbo.

The case highlights the complexity of funding decisions in such cases.

Following a review, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board says the 21-year-old is no longer deemed to have a primary healthcare need, therefore they will withdraw CHC funding.

Presumably this means any social care Miss Chicken needs will now have to be funded in a different way.

Her family's main fear is of course that the care may be reduced and the current therapy and one-to-one support she receives may come to an end.

Neither the health board nor the social services department will discuss individual cases so it is difficult to know what will happen.

Miss Chicken suffers from the rare neurological disorder Rett syndrome leaving her unable to speak or walk.

And there is, in our view, no doubt that she needs round-the-clock care.

What the family needs and deserves is clarity.