NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) means a package of care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS where an individual has been found to have a 'primary health need' and is provided to an individual 18 or over.
Where is NHS continuing healthcare provided?
NHS continuing healthcare is free, unlike social and community care services provided by local authorities for which a charge may be made, depending on your income and savings.
However, Clinical Commissioning Groups will only contract with providers that meet their service specifications and are registered with the Care Quality Commission. Patients will also need to meet the Patient Resource and Allocation Policy as we deliver care equitably for patients within the Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire area.
If you are eligible and meet the Patient Resource and Allocation Policy, you can receive NHS continuing healthcare in any setting, for example:
- in your own home: the NHS will pay for healthcare, such as services from a community nurse or specialist therapist, and personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing and laundry
- in a care home: as well as healthcare and personal care, the NHS will pay for your care home fees, including board and accommodation
Who is eligible for NHS continuing healthcare?
To be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you must have a primary need for health.
For example, people who are eligible are likely to:
- have a complex medical condition that requires a lot of nursing care and support
- need highly specialised nursing support
Someone nearing the end of their life is also likely to be eligible if they have a condition that is rapidly getting worse and may be terminal.
Eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare does not depend on:
- a specific health condition, illness or diagnosis
- who provides the care, or
- where the care is provided
If you have a disability, or if you've been diagnosed with a long-term illness or condition, this doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.
Assessment of your care needs
To decide if you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your care needs will be assessed by a health/and social care professional. If the assessment confirms that you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the NHS will pay for your care. For more information, see How will my eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare be assessed?
What if my care needs change?
Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare will be reviewed regularly. If your care needs change, the funding arrangements may also change. For more information, see When will my needs for continuing care be reviewed?
Read the answers to more questions about caring, carers and long-term conditions.
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