NHS Continuing Healthcare
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We receive free healthcare from the NHS at all stages of our lives. When we require care we need to make a distinction between what is personal care, healthcare and board and accommodation.
In most circumstances we will always need to pay for board and accommodation. Personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing etc, is provided either privately or by Social Services following a means test.
When care and healthcare needs become advanced and complex the distinction between personal care, healthcare and board and accommodation becomes harder to draw. Your board and accommodation may be driven by your healthcare needs. Your personal care may be more complex because of healthcare needs.
When this becomes the case you may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
NHS Continuing Care is a package of care arranged and funded by the NHS for people with health needs that meet certain criteria. It can be recieved in your own home or in a care home.
In your own home...
You may receive nursing care such as services from the community nurse or help with personal care, such as bathing. Unlike Social Services care visits the NHS will meet the full cost.
In a care home...
The NHS will pay your care home fees, including board and accommodation.
How do I get NHS Continuing Healthcare?
Firstly you need to arrange an assessment. If you are being discharged from hospital the assessment should be done as part of the discharge process but it is worth asking to confirm that it has been.
If you are in a nursing home and feel that you should be entitled to continuing care, ask the home manager to arrange an assessment.
What are the criteria for NHS Continuing Care?
There is a national framework that trusts follow when assessing continuing care. You can download a copy of it from the Department of Health website here. (Please advise us if this link is broken)
The following is only approximate guidance as this is a specialist area beyond the scope of this website.
If you live in a nursing home, an EMI nursing home or have 24 hour nursing care at home and your needs are advanced then an application for Continuing Healthcare may be successful. Most people in nursing homes do not qualify for continuing care. The first step would be to discuss your concerns with the nursing home manager or the care agency.
In our opinion the best literature online about continuing healthcare is from Age Concern. Their leaflet on continuing care can be downloaded here.
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