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Practical guideGuide
NHS Continuing Healthcare: Screening and Eligibility Basics
CHC can fund care when needs are primarily health-related. The checklist and decision support tool are where many disputes start.
At a glance
CHC can fund care when needs are primarily health-related. The checklist and decision support tool are where many disputes start.
- Ask the NHS (ward team, GP, or continuing…
- If checklist passes, request full assessment and DST
- For fast-track, ask whether terminal or rapidly deteriorating…
- If eligible, agree care package and funding responsibilities…
- If not eligible, ask for reasons and whether…
- If disputed, use local resolution process then request…
Practical next steps
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Start here
Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.
- 1Ask the NHS (ward team, GP, or continuing healthcare team) to complete the checklist…
- 2If checklist passes, request full assessment and DST
- 3For fast-track, ask whether terminal or rapidly deteriorating health criteria apply (professional decision)
Quick answer
NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) means the NHS funds care and support for people with intense health needs, including in their own home or a care home. In England the process uses a checklist, then a decision support…
Use this guide if…
- Adults with long-term complex health needs in England (Scotland, Wales, and NI have different systems).
- People leaving hospital who may need joint health and social care planning.
- Families where care costs are high and health needs dominate daily support.
Common questions
Practical answers you can use straight away — expand any question for next steps, example wording, and related help.
CHC can fund care when needs are primarily health-related. The checklist and decision support tool are where many disputes start.
What to do next
- Adults with long-term complex health needs in England (Scotland, Wales, and NI have different systems).
- People leaving hospital who may need joint health and social care planning.
- Families where care costs are high and health needs dominate daily support.
Work through the steps in order. Keep notes and copies as you go — the same approach as our detailed PIP and workplace guides.
What to do next
- Ask the NHS (ward team, GP, or continuing healthcare team) to complete the checklist if needs may qualify.
- If checklist passes, request full assessment and DST — keep copies of all paperwork.
- For fast-track, ask whether terminal or rapidly deteriorating health criteria apply (professional decision).
- If eligible, agree care package and funding responsibilities in writing.
- If not eligible, ask for reasons and whether NHS-funded nursing care contribution applies instead.
Example wording
06:00 — [medication / turning / catheter care / pain management] 12:00 — [feeding support / diabetes monitoring / wound care] 18:00 — [mobility transfers with health risk / oxygen / seizures] 02:00 — [night positioning / monitoring / incontinence linked to condition]
Evidence checklist
- Checklist completed by a trained health or social care professional.
- DST with multi-disciplinary input and evidence from professionals involved in care.
- Care plans, hospital letters, nursing notes, therapy reports.
- 24-hour care logs showing health needs across the day.
These are the errors that most often weaken evidence or miss deadlines.
What to do next
- Assuming social care means test outcomes decide CHC (different legal tests).
- Letting checklist be completed without you or your representative present to add examples.
- Not keeping a daily log during assessment periods.
- Paying care home top-ups without checking if CHC should cover fees first.
Keep written records and use the escalation routes below.
What to do next
- Request written decision with checklist and DST scores where applicable.
- Ask for local resolution meeting within the timeframe on your letter.
- Contact Beacon CHC advocacy (where available) or specialist solicitors for appeal advice before deadlines.
- Parallel: still pursue social care assessment if daily living support is needed.
Example wording
06:00 — [medication / turning / catheter care / pain management] 12:00 — [feeding support / diabetes monitoring / wound care] 18:00 — [mobility transfers with health risk / oxygen / seizures] 02:00 — [night positioning / monitoring / incontinence linked to condition]
Step-by-step
Ask the NHS (ward team, GP, or continuing healthcare team) to complete the checklist if needs may qualify. Start here so the rest of the guide has a clear foundation.
NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) means the NHS funds care and support for people with intense health needs, including in their own home or a care home. In England the process uses a checklist, then a decision support…
What this means
- Full cost of care at home or in a care home if eligible (package depends on assessed needs).
- Evidence that helps: Checklist completed by a trained health or social care professional
- Watch out: Assuming social care means test outcomes decide CHC (different legal tests)
Practical checklist
What good looks like
CHC can fund care when needs are primarily health-related. The checklist and decision support tool are where many disputes start.
Ask the AI: Help me with "Ask the NHS (ward team, GP, or continuing healthcare team)…" for NHS Continuing Healthcare: Screening and Eligibility Basics. Give plain-English wording and a short checklist.
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Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
Copy-and-adapt templates
Wording you can paste into email, letters, or conversation notes.
24-hour health needs log (sample lines)
06:00 — [medication / turning / catheter care / pain management] 12:00 — [feeding support / diabetes monitoring / wound care] 18:00 — [mobility transfers with health risk / oxygen / seizures] 02:00 — [night positioning / monitoring / incontinence linked to condition]
Common mistakes
- Assuming social care means test outcomes decide CHC (different legal tests).
- Letting checklist be completed without you or your representative present to add examples.
- Not keeping a daily log during assessment periods.
- Paying care home top-ups without checking if CHC should cover fees first.
If they refuse, delay, or ignore you
- Request written decision with checklist and DST scores where applicable.
- Ask for local resolution meeting within the timeframe on your letter.
- Contact Beacon CHC advocacy (where available) or specialist solicitors for appeal advice before deadlines.
- Parallel: still pursue social care assessment if daily living support is needed.
Access Stamp AI
Need help applying "NHS Continuing Healthcare: Screening and Eligibility Basics" to your situation? Ask about any step, evidence, or wording — the same way you would with our detailed PIP and workplace guides.
At a glance
- NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) means the NHS funds care and support for people with intense health needs, including in their own home…
- Full cost of care at home or in a care home if eligible (package depends on assessed needs).
- Fast-track CHC for end-of-life rapid deterioration in some cases.
- Evidence that helps: Checklist completed by a trained health or social care professional
- Avoid: Assuming social care means test outcomes decide CHC (different legal tests)
Helpful templates
- 24-hour health needs log (sample lines)Download not available yet — use the copyable wording in this guide.