NHS Continuing Healthcare: who qualifies and how to apply

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a fully funded package of care arranged and paid for by the NHS. If a person qualifies, all of their care home costs — accommodation, personal care, and nursing — are covered. It is one of the most significant funding routes available, yet many families don't know it exists.

Who qualifies for NHS CHC?

To qualify, a person must have a primary health need — meaning their care needs are driven primarily by health rather than social care. This is assessed against four key characteristics:

• Nature: The type and complexity of the health condition
• Intensity: The degree and regularity of care needed
• Complexity: How the conditions interact with each other
• Unpredictability: How often the person's condition fluctuates dangerously

CHC is not means-tested — wealth and savings are irrelevant. It is based purely on health needs. Common conditions that can lead to a CHC assessment include advanced dementia, Parkinson's, MS, cancer, and other complex neurological or physical conditions.

The assessment process

• Checklist screening: A nurse or social worker completes a checklist. If a minimum number of criteria are met, a full assessment is triggered.
• Full assessment (DST): A multidisciplinary team completes a Decision Support Tool (DST) across 12 care domains (behaviour, cognition, nutrition, mobility etc.)
• Recommendation: The team makes a recommendation; the Integrated Care Board (ICB) makes the final funding decision.
• Review: If funded, CHC is reviewed periodically — needs can change.

What if the application is refused?

Many initial applications are refused. You have the right to request a local review, and if still refused, to appeal to NHS England. Many families find a specialist CHC advocate helpful — some solicitors and charities offer this support. Keep a record of all assessments and request copies of the DST.

NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC)

If a person does not qualify for full CHC but is in a nursing home, they may be entitled to the NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC) contribution — currently £235.88/week (2024/25), paid directly to the nursing home. This is separate from CHC and much easier to access. Ask the care home if they've applied on the resident's behalf.

How to request a CHC assessment

• Ask the hospital discharge team, GP, or community nursing team to refer for a CHC checklist
• If being discharged from hospital, this should be considered before discharge
• You can also self-refer by contacting your local Integrated Care Board
• Family members can attend the assessment and should bring evidence of the person's needs