NHS Continuing Healthcare (England)

Description

A package of ongoing care arranged and paid for entirely by the NHS for adults whose needs are primarily health needs, whether they live at home or in a care home. When someone is eligible, the NHS arranges and pays for the care package that meets their assessed needs. It is not means-tested, so savings and property don't count. Eligibility depends on the nature, intensity, complexity and unpredictability of a person's needs, not on a particular diagnosis. That's why it's often missed: families of people with advanced dementia, neurological conditions or complex nursing needs commonly pay care-home fees without ever being screened. Integrated care boards (ICBs) assess and fund it.

Eligibility summary

• Available in: England.
• Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.

Notes

Verified Oct 2026 against nhs.uk's NHS continuing healthcare page. The page says a decision is usually expected within 28 days of the Checklist, and a Fast Track route exists for people whose health is deteriorating quickly and who are nearing the end of life. You should get a signed, dated copy of the Checklist with written reasons. If you're only eligible for part of your care, the NHS may fund part of it through a 'joint package' with the local authority. Care can be taken as a personal health budget. Eligibility is reviewed and can end if needs change. Children and young people get a separate 'continuing care' package instead. If someone isn't eligible but needs a registered nurse in a care home, NHS-funded nursing care may apply (separate entry). This entry is England only. Scotland abolished NHS continuing healthcare on 1 June 2015 and replaced it with Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care, which only covers people whose needs can't be met anywhere other than hospital. Wales runs its own CHC framework (in force since 1 April 2022), which isn't separately listed here yet. Northern Ireland wasn't researched this pass.

Requirement

Adult (18+) with long-term complex needs whose primary need is assessed as a health need. Screening usually starts with the NHS CHC Checklist, completed by a nurse, doctor, other health professional or social worker. If the Checklist is positive, a multidisciplinary team of at least two professionals from different fields carries out a full assessment using the Decision Support Tool. It rates needs across 12 'care domains' (such as breathing, nutrition, mobility and cognition) from 'no needs' to 'priority'. At least one priority need, or severe needs in at least two domains, usually indicates eligibility, though other combinations can also qualify.