NHS - Continuing Healthcare
To determine whether you are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare your current healthcare needs will be assessed. If you are eligible it means that the NHS is responsible to fully fund your care. Your care may be provided in a number of settings such as in your own home or a care home, with nursing. It is however a reviewable process and you will be notified when a review is to be undertaken and the outcome of this review. Please note, assessment for Continuing Healthcare is not normally appropriate if you are receiving treatment or rehabilitation for an acute episode of ill health.
Fast Track status
Fast Track is a term which applies to a person who has “a primary health need arising from a rapidly deteriorating condition which may be entering a terminal phase, with an increasing level of dependency”. Life expectancy is likely to be in days / weeks. It allows you to be discharged quickly from hospital or a hospice and to be cared for in your preferred location, with an appropriate care package to meet your needs. Your healthcare needs will be reviewed and if you improve or no longer meet the Fast Track criteria a Continuing Healthcare assessment will be completed and your eligibility determined. The outcome of this assessment may be that you are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare or it may be that you are not; therefore the Fast Track status is withdrawn.
If you remain eligible a review of your current package of care is performed to make sure it is appropriate to your needs.
If you are not eligible for Continuing Healthcare you may be provided with a joint package of care; responsibility for meeting health needs falls to the NHS. In the community this would include the District Nursing Service and your GP. The Local Authority (council) may provide services to meet your social care needs, however they will undertake a financial assessment and the amount that you pay towards your care will be dependent on your financial circumstances. Your care manager should advise and help you through all this process.
More information about Continuing Healthcare can be found on NHS Leeds website
Department of Health NHS Continuing Healthcare FAQs
A set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) have been published in response to some of the most frequently asked questions about NHS continuing healthcare and NHS funded nursing care.
The document contains links to published directions and guidance on the Department of Health and the National Archives websites. What you need to read and where you can find key documents are provided as further guidance.
The FAQs will be updated in response to any further questions.