NHS continuing healthcare for people living in care homes
10 September 2008
NHS continuing healthcare is a service outside of hospital for
people with ongoing health needs. This service is arranged and
funded by the NHS and is free to use.
A senior clinician will assess whether someone is
eligible to receive NHS continuing healthcare. A senior
clinician is a ward sister, district nurse, GP or consultant.
NHS funding can support people living in a care home who:
- have a rapidly deteriorating condition
- may be entering the final phase of their lives
To clarify what this means for people living in a care home
the Department of Health and National End of Life Care Support Team
have released a joint statement.
The purpose of this statement is to:
- prevent unnecessary admission to hospital or transfer to
another care home during the last few days of life
- give people who choose to remain in their (care) home NHS
support
- support care home staff to meet an individual’s needs
The care home will still need to demonstrate that they can meet
an individual’s needs with NHS support.
There is a “fast track” for people who need an urgent
package of care.