What is Continuing Healthcare?
Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healthcare.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of ongoing care that is arranged and funded solely by the National Health Service (NHS) for those who are found to have a ‘primary health need’.
Why is the assessment happening now?
To be eligible for continuing healthcare, patients have to be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals who recommend whether the patient meets the criteria for funding.
Due to the covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, in March 2020, the government suspended the CHC process so that NHS could move staff to frontline care. During this time, instead of having a CHC assessment, anyone discharged from hospital with an identified health need has been given NHS covid funding for care as appropriate. This was replicated in the community (for those outside of a hospital setting).
The government has told us that the NHS continuing health care assessments now have to be reinstated on 1 September 2020. This means that we now have to assess all individuals that were given NHS covid funding between 19 March 2020 and 31 August 2020. These assessments will be happening for all individuals in England for this period.
How will the assessment be conducted?
We are currently contacting people that need to have assessment, by phone, in order to verify the appropriate contact information that we have been given. We will work with them to decide how best to conduct the assessment in order to keep them safe and follow national covid guidance. This may be a virtual assessment, such as a video call. If a face to face visit is necessary, we will ensure that this is conducted safely and social distancing and hand hygiene rules are followed. If people are in a care home, we will work closely with the care home, in line with their visitation and risk policies.
What will happen next?
Following the assessment, there will be potential recommendations
Two organisations in England are responsible for commissioning care to meet the needs of individuals – The NHS and the Local Authority. Healthcare is provided by the NHS and is free. Social and personal care is provided by the local authority, and individuals have to pay for it. NHS funded care is assessed according to need, whereas the social care element (for personal care) is means tested.
Following the assessment, if someone is not eligible for CHC funding, they may need to have a financial assessment (as noted above) with the local authority and they may need to contribute to their care.
They will not have to contribute towards the care received before and until the CHC assessment regards their eligibility takes place and is ratified.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any concerns or questions, you can call or email our CHC Senior Operational Nurse, Alison Hall on 0114 305 1700 who would be more than happy to discuss or reassure you of any concerns or anxieties. Details regarding continuing healthcare can be found on our website.
Alternatively, you can contact Sheffield Advocacy Service, this is a free advisory service, on 0800 035 0396 or via info@sheffieldadvocacyhub.org.uk.