Information about Continuing Healthcare
What is continuing healthcare (CHC)?
The NHS provides financial support in the UK for people with serious and ongoing health needs through an initiative called continuing healthcare. The NHS covers all care costs for those who meet specific criteria.
Where can NHS continuing healthcare be provided?
NHS continuing healthcare can be provided in different places outside of a hospital, such as in your own home or in a care home.
How can I determine if I meet the criteria for continuing healthcare?
To qualify for continuing healthcare, you need to have a primary health need, meaning your care requirements are complex, intense, and/or unpredictable.
What types of conditions might be considered primary health needs?
The NHS uses 11 criteria in their initial assessment checklist, which are divided into two parts: priority domains and other domains.
The priority domains include:
Breathing, Behavior, Drug Therapies etc., Altered State of Consciousness.
The other domains include:
Nutrition – Food and drink, Continence, Skin and Tissue Viability, Mobility, Communication, Psychological and Emotional Needs, Cognition.
Each care domain is scored as A, B, or C based on the person's needs. An 'A' indicates more serious needs, while a 'C' is for less serious needs.
The NHS also provides descriptions for A, B, and C scores to determine eligibility for care.
Who will assess my eligibility?
Integrated care boards, known as ICBs (the NHS organisations that commission local health services), assess you for NHS continuing healthcare.
You will be assessed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. A nurse, doctor, other healthcare professional, or social worker can complete the initial checklist assessment. You should be informed that you are being assessed and what the process involves.
Will I be eligible for continuing healthcare if I pass the checklist?
Passing the checklist assessment is the first step and does not guarantee eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare. If you think you or someone you know might qualify, ask South West London Integrated Care Board to complete the checklist assessment. If you pass the checklist, you will qualify for a full assessment using the Decision Support Tool (DST).
How long does it take to decide on a full continuing healthcare assessment?
A decision about whether you qualify for a full NHS continuing healthcare assessment is aimed to be made within 28 days of your initial assessment or request. This time frame may vary.
If I don't meet the eligibility criteria, can the NHS refer me elsewhere?
If you aren't eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to Wandsworth council. They can talk with you about whether you might qualify for their support.
Who can help me with my assessment?
You might consider reaching out to Beacon for assistance. You can visit their website at https://beaconchc.co.uk/how-we-can-help/ or call them at 0345 548 0300. Beacon is a social enterprise that provides free, independent advice and support to help you navigate the complexities of continuing healthcare and achieve a fair outcome.
You can also reach out to the South West London Integrated Care Board in your borough. For Merton and Wandsworth, the details are below:
Phone number: 020 3880 0288
Email for general enquiries and referrals: mwchc.enquiries@swlondon.nhs.uk
Is there additional information available on continuing healthcare?
Yes, it's recommended to visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/. This site offers detailed information on care packages, care reviews, and many other essential topics.
You can also visit the following website to access an informative leaflet from the Department of Health and Social Care on continuing healthcare: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care-public-information-leaflet
