Who is eligible for NHS CHC?
NHS CHC is for adults aged 18 and over. Children and young people may receive a “continuing care package” if they have needs arising from disability, accident or illness that can’t be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.
Transition planning will begin for children and young people from age 14 in preparation for moving towards being assessed for NHS CHC when they turn 18 years of age.
Find out more about the children and young people’s continuing care.
To be eligible for NHS CHC, you must be assessed by a “multidisciplinary team”. The team will look at all your care needs and relate them to:
- the nature of your need
- how complex your needs are
- how intense or severe your needs can be
- how unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care isn’t provided at the right time
Your eligibility for NHS CHC depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition. If your needs change then your eligibility for NHS CHC may change.
You should be fully involved in the assessment process and kept informed, and have your views about your needs and support taken into account. Carers and family members should also be consulted where appropriate.
A decision about eligibility should usually be made within 28 days of it being decided that the person needs a full assessment for NHS CHC.
Find out more about the the assessment process.
If you aren’t eligible for NHS CHC, you can be referred to your local authority who can discuss with you whether you may be eligible for support from them. If you still have some health needs then the NHS may pay for part of the package of support. This is sometimes known as a “joint package” of care. You may also be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.