Question and Answer on NHS Continuing Healthcare with Nurse, Vikki Weller Part 2
Introduction
Vikki Weller, a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in hospital care, community rehabilitation, care home management, and NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), answers common questions about NHS Continuing Healthcare funding and support.
Is NHS Continuing Healthcare Means-Tested?
No. If a person is assessed as eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, they should not be required to contribute towards the cost of meeting their assessed health and care needs. NHS Continuing Healthcare is not means-tested and is provided free at the point of delivery.
Can Existing Carers Be Retained?
This depends on the policies of the local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Different ICBs have different commissioning arrangements, so individuals should ask for copies of their local policies, often known as Equity and Choice Policies, to understand the available options
Can People Employ Their Own Personal Assistants?
Yes. Individuals who qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare have the right to request a Personal Health Budget (PHB), which may be provided as a direct payment. This can allow people to recruit and employ their own Personal Assistants (PAs) to help meet their assessed health and care needs. However, Personal Health Budget funds must be used in accordance with NHS rules and only for approved care needs.
Is Help Available With Recruiting Personal Assistants?
Several options are available:
- Direct payments allow individuals to recruit and manage their own staff.
- Third-party managed budgets enable another organisation to employ and manage staff on the individual’s behalf.
- Notional budgets are managed by the ICB, which commissions care from a registered care provider.
The most suitable option will depend on individual circumstances and preferences.
Who Manages an NHS Continuing Healthcare Package?
Once a person becomes eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the Integrated Care Board becomes responsible for:
- Care planning.
- Commissioning services.
- Ongoing case management.
- Monitoring care provision.
- Arranging regular reviews and reassessments.
Best practice is for individuals receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare to have a named case manager or designated point of contact.
Personal Health Budgets
Since October 2014, people eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare have had the right to request a Personal Health Budget.
Integrated Care Boards are required to:
- Provide information about Personal Health Budgets.
- Offer support to individuals considering this option.
- Ensure people understand the choices available to them.
Personal Health Budgets can be provided in three ways:
- Notional Budget – managed by the NHS.
- Third-Party Budget – managed by an independent organisation on behalf of the individual.
- Direct Payment – paid directly to the individual to arrange their own care and support
Key Point
NHS Continuing Healthcare is designed to provide funding that fully meets an individual’s assessed health and care needs. Individuals should not be asked to contribute financially towards those assessed needs, and a range of options are available to help them manage and personalise their care
Further Information
Detailed guidance on NHS Continuing Healthcare can be found in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care (July 2022 revision)
The 25% ME Group would like to thank Vikki Weller for providing answers to these questions and helping to improve understanding of NHS Continuing Healthcare.