NHS continuing healthcare is the name given to a package of care which is arranged and funded solely by the NHS for individuals outside of hospital who have ongoing healthcare needs. You can receive continuing healthcare in any setting, including your own home or a care home.

NHS continuing healthcare is free, unlike help from social services for which a financial charge may be made depending on your income and savings.

Continuing Healthcare can be provided in your own home, this means that the NHS will pay for healthcare (e.g. services from a community nurse or specialist therapist) and personal care (e.g. help with bathing, dressing and laundry).

If you receive Continuing Healthcare in a care home, the NHS also pays for your care home fees, including board and accommodation.

Deadlines for assessment of eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for cases during the period 2004-2012

On 15 March 2012, the Department of Health announced the introduction of deadlines for individuals to request an assessment of eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, for cases during the period 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2012.

We are therefore asking for individuals or their representatives to notify their local Primary Care Trust (PCT) in respect of previously un-assessed periods of time where there is evidence that they should have been assessed for eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. The time periods and the deadlines for notifying PCTs are as follows:

The announcement of these deadlines introduces a process which will enable any individuals who should have been assessed from 1 April 2004 onwards to be identified and considered for eligibility as soon as possible, because as time passes, detailed recorded evidence of an individual's needs for the period of time in question may no longer be available.

If you think that this affects you or a family member, then please contact the Continuing Healthcare Team at your local PCT to obtain further information on the process and to discuss this further.

Find your local Primary Care Trust at – www.nhs.uk

For more information about deadlines for assessment of eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for cases during the period 2004-2012 view the Frequently Asked Questions on the Department of Health website.