{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

---

Assessment for NHS-funded Continuing Healthcare in Care Homes (England) Policy

Note:

This policy is for care homes providing nursing care, but it could apply to care homes without nursing, where people’s needs indicate that they could be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare or nursing care.

Policy Statement

The home’s policy is based on the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) (revised 2022).

The policy applies to anyone admitted to {{org_field_name}}, who is assessed using the current tools issued by the NHS and DHSC as having a potential primary healthcare need or who is considered to need assessment of their eligibility for NHS-funded continuing care or registered nursing care as part of their total care package.

The policy applies to individuals who are funding their own care as well as to those admitted under care management arrangements, particularly if in receipt of joint funding from NHS and local authority social services.

1. The home supports and implements the principles of the national framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care by identifying and supporting any resident who might have a primary healthcare need that makes them eligible for NHS-funded continuing healthcare.
2. This is undertaken in recognition of the fact that care needs can change over time and that a resident might well need to be assessed for eligibility to receive NHS continuing care after admission to the home.
3. The home works closely with local NHS commissioners, GPs and other professionals involved in a resident’s healthcare to assess their needs and help the person to understand the procedures and processes involved.
4. In doing so, it works to the core principles and values outlined in the national framework, ie by ensuring that:
   a. the assessment remains person-centred and becomes integral to the individual’s ongoing plan of care
   b. no one is discriminated against on the grounds of their race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or type of health need from being considered for such an assessment of their needs
   c. the person who is undergoing an assessment and their family and/or carers understand the process, and receive advice and information to enable them to participate in informed decisions about their future care
   d. the individual concerned gives their informed consent to the referral and assessment
   e. in the event of the person lacking the mental capacity to give their consent, their representative acts in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
5. The home informs itself about the local arrangements for referring and assessing eligibility and communicates these to people who are being considered for assessment, including any deadlines for making applications. In doing so, it works with any representatives and advocates of the person receiving care, where involved.
6. The home will take any NHS nursing care or continuing care funding contribution in its charging policy and arrangements by reviewing and, where indicated, deducting the amounts from the fees paid by the person using its service. It recognises that this is also required by consumer law.
7. The home provides staff training in the principles, procedures and tools referred to in the national framework so that care and nursing staff can contribute to the referral and assessment of any individual with a potential primary healthcare need.
8. The home participates in any reviews of an individual’s healthcare needs that are identified by the national framework guidance.

---

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

Copyright ©2024 {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved