NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing

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NHS continuing healthcare (NHS CHC) is a package of health and social care funded solely by the NHS when your need for care is primarily due to your need for healthcare. Certain characteristics of your needs, in combination or alone, may demonstrate a ‘primary health need’ because of the quantity and/or quality of care needed to manage them.

NHS-funded nursing care is the financial contribution paid by the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) towards the cost of meeting your nursing care needs if you live in a nursing home. It is paid directly to the care home.

In March 2012, the Department of Health announced deadlines for individuals or their representatives wanting to request an assessment of eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare funding for care between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2012.

Requests can only be made for previously unassessed times where someone believes there is evidence they should have been considered for eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare.

The cut-off dates are:

Time period Deadline
1 April 2004 - 30 September 2007 30 September 2012
1 October 2007 - 31 March 2011 30 September 2012
1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012 31 March 2013

If you want to request an assessment, contact the relevant Primary Care Trust (PCT) to find the staff member managing the process and to get information about submitting your request. You need to contact the PCT responsible for the area where the individual was living during the period you want to be considered. Call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 if you're not sure which PCT to contact.

The factsheet on NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing explains:

  • the National Framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care,
  • the process followed when deciding whether you're eligible for NHS continuing healthcare,
  • the tools used as part of the process of deciding eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare,
  • your options if you are unhappy with the eligibility decision reached,
  • the situation prior to the introduction of the National Framework on 1 October 2007.

The information given in this factsheet is applicable in England. Different rules may apply in Wales‚ Northern Ireland and Scotland. Readers in these nations should contact their respective Age UK organisation for information specific to where they live.

opens link in new window Download the NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care factsheet (PDF, 316 KB)

 This factsheet should be read in conjunction with Age UK factsheets:

opens link in new window Intermediate care (PDF 172 KB)

opens link in new window Paying for permanent residential care (PDF 258 KB) 

opens link in new window Treatment of property in the means test for permanent care home provision (PDF 199 KB)  

opens link in new window Paying for care in a care home if you have a partner (PDF 94 KB)

opens link in new window LA assessment for community care services (PDF, 337 KB)

We are grateful for the generous support of Dr Naim Dangoor CBE
and The Exilarch's Foundation

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