NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC): Explained

If you or your loved one are living with a disability or complex long-term care needs, you may be eligible for free NHS Continuing Healthcare funding (CHC). Many families are unaware of this type of support, so it’s vital to check eligibility and request an NHS CHC assessment.

Continuing Healthcare can be provided in different settings, including care homes, hospices, or in the comfort of your own home through NHS-funded live-in care.

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)?

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a care package fully funded by the NHS for people whose primary need is health-related. Unlike local authority funding, CHC is not means-tested, meaning your personal savings or income are not considered.

If you are eligible, the NHS will cover the full cost of your care in any setting:

• At home (including live-in carers)
• In a hospice
• In a care home or nursing home

In England, you can choose to receive care organised by the NHS or manage it yourself with a personal health budget.

Who is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding?

Eligibility is based on your assessed care needs rather than a specific diagnosis. A healthcare team will look at:

• The type of care and support you require
• How complex your needs are
• The risks of not receiving the right care at the right time

Important: Please note – because your health can change, CHC funding is regularly reviewed to ensure it continues to meet your needs.

The NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment process

The first step is an initial checklist assessment, usually carried out in hospital or at home by a nurse or healthcare professional. If you meet the criteria, you’ll be referred for a full NHS CHC assessment.

This full assessment is carried out by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) made up of at least two professionals from different disciplines. They will assess your care needs across areas including:

• Mobility and movement
• Breathing and respiratory needs
• Continence
• Communication
• Nutrition and hydration
• Skin conditions (wounds, pressure ulcers, risk of breakdown)
• Psychological and emotional needs
• Levels of consciousness
• Medication and treatment requirements
• Cognition and understanding

Your needs will be scored as priority, severe, high, moderate, low, or no need.

You are likely to qualify for CHC if:

• You have at least one priority need or two severe needs
• You have a severe need alongside other health needs
• You have a combination of high or moderate needs that are complex or unpredictable

You should be fully involved throughout the process, and a decision on eligibility is usually made within 28 days of the initial assessment.

What if you’re not eligible for NHS CHC?

Even if you do not qualify for Continuing Healthcare, you may still be entitled to other forms of NHS support, such as:

• NHS-funded nursing care
• Specialist community health services
• Palliative care and end-of-life care
• Respite care
• Rehabilitation and recovery services
• Local authority funding may be available to help meet your care needs.

What happens if you are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?

If you qualify, the next step is to create a care package tailored to your assessed needs. This may include care in a residential setting, or — for many families — the preferred option of receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare at home.

At Novus Care, we understand that most people prefer to stay in familiar surroundings. Our professional live-in carers provide 24/7 support, allowing you or your loved one to remain at home safely, while receiving the same level of care that would be provided in a care home.

We offer:

• NHS-funded live-in care for long-term conditions
• Respite live-in care for short-term needs
• Compassionate, tailored care packages to suit individual requirements

Discover the benefits of live-in care with Novus Care

Contact our friendly care team today on 0800 138 4030 or email: [email protected] to arrange a free home care assessment and find out how we can support you or your loved one through NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.