What Is NHS Continuing Healthcare?
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care arranged and funded solely by the NHS for individuals who have a "primary health need." Unlike local authority social care, CHC is free at the point of delivery and is not means-tested.
Many of our residents at King's Lodge are funded through CHC, and our clinical team has extensive experience supporting the assessment and review process.
Eligibility: The Primary Health Need Test
CHC eligibility is determined through the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare. The key question is whether the individual's primary need is a health need rather than a social care need. This is assessed across 12 care domains:
Breathing
Nutrition
Continence
Skin Integrity
Mobility
Communication
Psychological
Cognition
Behaviour
Drug Therapies
Altered States
Other Significant
An individual scoring "Priority" in any one domain, or "Severe" in two or more domains, will typically be eligible for CHC funding.
The CHC Assessment Process
Checklist Screening
A CHC Checklist is completed, usually by the hospital or community nursing team. This determines whether a full assessment is needed.
Multidisciplinary Team Assessment
A multidisciplinary team completes the Decision Support Tool (DST), assessing all 12 care domains. The individual, their family, and relevant professionals contribute.
Eligibility Decision
The local Integrated Care Board (ICB) reviews the DST and makes the eligibility decision. This should happen within 28 days of the checklist.
Care Planning & Placement
Once eligible, the ICB works with the individual and family to identify a suitable placement. King's Lodge can be named as the preferred provider at this stage.
Three-Monthly Reviews
CHC eligibility is reviewed initially at three months, then at least annually. King's Lodge supports every review with up-to-date clinical evidence.
What King's Lodge Provides Under CHC
When a resident is placed at King's Lodge under CHC funding, the following is included as standard:
Clinical Care
- 24/7 registered nurse cover
- Individualised care plan reviewed monthly
- Twice-weekly GP visits
- Medication management and administration
- Specialist nursing interventions
- Clinical observations and monitoring
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
- En-suite accommodation
- All meals, snacks, and dietary management
- Activities and social programme
- Access to gardens and communal spaces
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Family involvement in care planning
How We Support Professionals
We know CHC assessments and reviews involve significant paperwork and coordination. King's Lodge makes this easier by:
- Providing detailed clinical evidence for DST completion and reviews
- Hosting multidisciplinary team meetings on-site or via video call
- Maintaining up-to-date care documentation for audit purposes
- Supporting families through the appeals process if eligibility is declined
- Accepting referrals while CHC assessment is still in progress
Questions About CHC Funding?
Our placements team can advise on the process, help with documentation, and discuss how King's Lodge can support your patient.