NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC).

Go straight to: How to apply for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)?

NHS Continuing Healthcare is an NHS fully funded package of care that some people are entitled to receive due to their long-term health needs. You might hear ‘Continuing Healthcare’ shortened to ‘CHC’.

When an individual becomes eligible for CHC, it means the NHS – rather than the Local Authority – becomes responsible for meeting the individual’s health and associated social care needs. This includes funding the care, which unlike Local Authority (Social Services) funding, is not means tested (unrelated to the amount of earnings or savings someone has).

Who can receive Continuing Healthcare funding?

You must be:

  • Aged 18 or over
  • Found to be eligible through the CHC assessment process – have a ‘primary health need’, where your care needs are primarily for healthcare, rather than social or personal care needs.

Where can NHS Continuing Healthcare be provided?

NHS Continuing Healthcare can be provided in a variety of settings outside hospital, such as in your own home or in a care home.

Am I eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?

Eligibility is usually determined via a two-step assessment process; a screening Checklist, which if positive, is followed by a Full Assessment.

If a Full Assessment is required, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of health and social care professionals will look at your care needs and relate them to:

  • What help you need – what is the nature of your needs?
  • How complex your needs are
  • How intense your needs can be
  • How unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care is not provided at the right time

The process is based on the National framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care – GOV.UK

Your eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis, condition or prognosis.

You should be fully involved in the assessment process, kept informed and have your views about your needs and support taken into account. Carers and family members should also be consulted where appropriate.

If your needs change then your eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare may change.

Some people become eligible through the Fast Track process rather than the standard assessment process above.

How likely am I to be found eligible for CHC funding?

People often ask us how likely it is that they or their relative will be found eligible for CHC.

The answer is that it is entirely down to their needs as identified through the assessment process.

The numbers of people found eligible for CHC are not capped/limited in any way and NHS Devon is committed to ensuring that we identify everyone with needs that make them eligible for CHC.

Statistically, due to the need to meet specific eligibility criteria for CHC funding, a significantly smaller number of people are eligible to receive funded long-term care and support from the NHS via CHC compared to those who receive care from their Local Authority (Adult Social Care).

Useful Resources

Other NHS Devon links