NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding: Are You Eligible?

NHS Continuing Healthcare can cover the full cost of care for some people, yet many families never realise they qualify.

If you are arranging care for a loved one in South Oxfordshire, understanding this funding route could make a significant difference. It is not means-tested. It does not depend on savings or property. If your loved one meets the health criteria, the NHS pays, not the individual.

What NHS Continuing Healthcare Is

NHS Continuing Healthcare, often shortened to CHC, is a package of ongoing care arranged and funded entirely by the NHS. It is available to adults in England who have a primary health need, meaning their care needs arise mainly from a health condition rather than social circumstances.

The key distinction is this: social care is usually funded by the local authority, and eligibility is means-tested. NHS Continuing Healthcare sits outside that system. When someone qualifies, the NHS takes full responsibility for funding their care, wherever that care is delivered.

That last point matters. CHC is not limited to care homes or hospital settings. Many people receive it at home, with support workers visiting regularly to help with personal care, medication, and daily living. For families in Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, and the wider South Oxfordshire area, this can mean professional, consistent home care without the financial pressure of self-funding.

The funding is arranged through the local Integrated Care Board, which in this area is NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB. They coordinate the assessment process and, if eligibility is confirmed, arrange and fund the care package.

Who May Be Eligible and How Assessment Works

Eligibility is based on health need, not age, diagnosis, or income. There is no single condition that automatically qualifies someone, and no single condition that rules them out. The assessment looks at the nature, intensity, complexity, and unpredictability of a person's care needs.

The process typically begins with a checklist screening, usually carried out by a nurse or social worker. If the checklist suggests CHC may be appropriate, a full multidisciplinary assessment follows. This is known as the Decision Support Tool, and it looks at twelve care domains including behaviour, cognition, communication, mobility, nutrition, and skin integrity.

A panel then reviews the assessment and makes a decision. The whole process should be completed within 28 days of the full assessment, though in practice timelines can vary.

Who might be considered? People with complex, unpredictable health needs often meet the criteria. This includes those living with advanced dementia, progressive neurological conditions, severe mental health needs, or serious physical health conditions that require frequent clinical intervention.

What if someone is not eligible? A person may still qualify for NHS-funded nursing care, which is a contribution towards nursing costs, or for a joint package funded partly by the NHS and partly by the local authority. Neither outcome means the door is closed entirely.

Can you challenge a decision? Yes. If CHC is refused and you believe the assessment did not reflect your loved one's true needs, you have the right to request a review and, if necessary, an independent appeal. Many families find it helpful to have a care professional or advocate present during assessments to ensure needs are described accurately and fully.

It is worth keeping records. Detailed notes about day-to-day care needs, incidents, and health changes can support a stronger case during assessment. A GP, district nurse, or social worker can help initiate the process if you are unsure where to start.

What It Could Mean for Care at Home

For families arranging our care services for a loved one at home, NHS Continuing Healthcare changes the picture considerably.

Without CHC, many people in South Oxfordshire self-fund their home care, drawing on savings or selling assets to meet ongoing costs. With CHC in place, those costs are met by the NHS. The care package is arranged to reflect the person's assessed needs, which may include personal care, help with medication, meal preparation, and support with mobility.

The type and frequency of care visits are agreed as part of the CHC package. For some people, this means a few visits a week. For others with more complex needs, it may mean multiple visits each day or even live-in care support.

At Care With Dignity Partnerships, we have worked alongside families across South Oxfordshire for over 15 years. We are family-run, CQC rated Outstanding, and our support workers are DBS-checked, fully trained to the Care Certificate standard, and insured. We understand how much it matters to have consistent, familiar faces providing care. That is why we prioritise one-to-one continuity of care, so your loved one sees the same support workers regularly, not a different person at every visit.

When a CHC package is agreed, we work with the commissioning team to deliver care that reflects what the person actually needs, not a generic plan. We also keep things straightforward for families. There are no hidden costs and no mileage charges for visits within our service area.

If your loved one is not eligible for CHC, or if you are waiting for an assessment outcome, home care can still be arranged privately or through the local authority. We are happy to talk through the options with you, whatever stage you are at.

One practical step worth taking now: if you think a family member may have a primary health need, ask their GP or district nurse whether a CHC checklist screening would be appropriate. You can also self-refer to the ICB in some circumstances. Starting the conversation early means the process can begin before a crisis point is reached.

Families in Abingdon, Didcot, and Wantage often come to us having already navigated the CHC process, or while it is still underway. Either way, we can help you understand what home care might look like and how we can support your loved one to stay safe and independent at home.

To speak with someone about your situation or to find out more, visit our contact us page to arrange a free, no-obligation home care assessment.