NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the name given to a package of care which is arranged and funded solely by the NHS for individuals outside of hospital who have ongoing health care needs. People can receive NHS Continuing Healthcare in any setting, including their own home or in a care home. NHS Continuing Healthcare is free, unlike support provided by local authorities for which a financial charge may be made depending on a person’s income and savings.
Who is eligible for Continuing Healthcare
People over 18 years of age who have been assessed as having a ’primary health need’ are entitled to NHS Continuing Healthcare. Eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare is not dependent on a particular disease, diagnosis or condition, nor on who provides the care or where that care is provided.
How do you become eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?
An initial screening process with a CHC Checklist, followed by a full assessment of eligibility, helps determine whether or not someone is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Will I have to pay for NHS Continuing Healthcare?
No. The NHS care package provided should meet your health and associated social care needs as identified in your care plan. The care plan should set out the services to be funded and/or provided by the NHS. In some circumstances you may wish to purchase additional private care services, but this decision must be voluntary. Any additional services that you choose to purchase should not be meeting the assessed needs for which the NHS is responsible.
Does NHS Continuing Healthcare last forever?
Not necessarily. Once eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, your care will be funded by the NHS.
You should normally have a review of your care package after three months, and then every twelve months. The focus of these reviews should be on whether your care plan or arrangements remain appropriate to meet your needs. If your needs have changed to such an extent that they may impact on your eligibility for CHC, then we may arrange a full reassessment of eligibility. This may mean your funding arrangements change, as eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare is based on needs rather than on the condition and/or diagnosis.
Contact
If you have a query about Continuing Healthcare please contact:
Continuing Healthcare Team
South Shields Town Hall
Westoe Road
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE33 2RL
Tel: 0191 427 2002
Email CHC.Commissioning@southtyneside.gov.uk