NHS continuing healthcare (CHC)

NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) is a package of ongoing care that is arranged and funded solely by the National Health Service (NHS) where the individual has been assessed and found to have a ‘health need’ as set out in the National Framework.

You are assessed by a multidisciplinary team of health and social care professionals on an individual basis dependent upon the nature, intensity, complexity and unpredictability of your health needs. This type of care is provided to an individual aged 18 or over, to meet health and associated social care needs that have arisen because of disability, accident or illness.

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Find out more about NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) funding 

You can find out more about NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) and NHS funding nursing care on the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board  (ICB) website

Requesting a NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) initial checklist assessment

You can request an initial checklist assessment to see if you could be eligible for a full NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) assessment. This is usually carried out in hospital or at your home.  It must be done by either a nurse, doctor, social worker or other healthcare professional.  

You can find out more about the NHS CHC checklist and how you will be assessed on the government website.  It can be helpful for your checklist assessment if you can make notes or gather information on how you meet the CHC checklist criteria.  

Requesting a NHS fast-track continuing healthcare assessment

The fast-track pathway is only to be used for someone who has a rapidly deteriorating condition and may be entering a terminal phase. More information on the fast-track pathway can be found on the government website email bnssg.fasttrack@nhs.net

If an individual has a rapidly deteriorating condition and may be entering a terminal phase, the individual may be considered for the NHS continuing healthcare fast-track pathway so an appropriate care and support package can be put in place as soon as possible. This will need to be done by an appropriate clinician such as a registered nurse or registered medical practitioner. 

Support with NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) process  

The process involved in NHS continuing healthcare assessments can be complex.  An organisation called Beacon offer free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare. You can contact them via the Beacon website or call the free helpline on 0345 548 0300

Having a full NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) assessment

A full CHC assessment can only be done once you have had the initial checklist assessment, as explained above in - Requesting a NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) initial checklist assessment, if you meet the checklist criteria a full CHC assessment will be triggered. 

You can get help and advice from your local CHC team as follows:

If you have a South Gloucestershire GP telephone 01179002626 or email bnssg.chcteam@nhs.net

If you have a Bristol GP telephone 01179002626 or email hart.admin@nhs.net

If you have a North Somerset GP telephone 01179002626 or email bnssg.fundedhealthcare@nhs.net

I am not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) funding

If you have been assessed as needing care and support but your needs are not eligible for CHC funding, you can still ask South Gloucestershire Council for a Care Act assessment.  

A Social Care Worker will assess you in line with the Care Act 2014 and they will offer advice and assistance on how your needs can be best met.

If your assessment shows that you are eligible for support from the council, you will be financially assessed to see if you can contribute to the cost of your support, see funding care and support for more details. We will let you know how much we think it should cost to meet your needs.