Open menu
Existing customers
Find
branch
CQC & CIW Regulated
Receive care in 24 hours
Rated excellent on
Industry leading carer training

What is a Continuing Healthcare Checklist?

As we get older, many of us will develop health conditions and require home care to continue living a healthy, comfortable and independent lifestyle. Receiving ongoing medication and care is often expensive, but fortunately, the NHS continuing healthcare scheme was introduced to provide funding to support those with complex long-term health needs. The application process for continuing care can be fairly complex and involves several assessment stages. With this in mind, here is everything you need to know about the initial assessment stage: the continuing healthcare checklist (CHC).


Understanding The CHC

The CHC is a screening tool used to identify those who may be eligible for funding under the NHS continuing healthcare. If a person satisfies the checklist, then they are referred for a full assessment to see if they qualify for financial support under the NHS continuing healthcare scheme. If granted, this support can be used to fund a variety of care needs such as nursing care, palliative care and hospital treatment. According to the NHS website, “continuing healthcare can also be provided in various settings outside the hospital, including in your own home or in a care home.” The majority of people must complete the initial CHC checklist before being referred for a full assessment. However, if your care is urgent i.e. you are terminally ill, then you may be able to have your assessment fast-tracked.


What Is The Criteria For Continuing Healthcare?

NHS continuing healthcare is only available for adults. Children and young people with complex care needs can apply for funding through the child and young people’s continuing care national framework. To qualify for NHS continuing healthcare, you will need to be assessed by a team of medical professionals. They will consider various factors including what care you require, how complex your needs are and what risks there are to your health if you do not receive the correct care. It is important to keep in mind that you are not automatically entitled to continuing healthcare based on a certain diagnosis or condition. Your eligibility will depend on your assessed needs, and this may change if your needs change in the future.


What To Expect With The CHC Screening Process

The CHC checklist is carried out by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse or social worker. The checklist covers 11 core elements of care including continence, breathing, mobility, medication, emotional needs and cognition. The healthcare professional will allocate a level of need for each element. This will range from ‘No Needs’ to ‘High’, ‘Severe’ or ‘Priority.’ This information will then be used to assess whether you are eligible for a full assessment. If you would like to see the full criteria, you can download a blank copy of the NHS CHC on the GOV.UK website.

After the initial checklist has been completed, you should expect to hear back in writing within 28 days. You will either be referred for a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare, or you will be advised that you aren’t eligible. In this situation, you can be referred to your local council to see if you are eligible for any financial support from them. If you disagree with the decision or feel that the checklist was conducted incorrectly, then you can ask the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) to reconsider. If the decision remains the same, then you can complete the NHS complaint procedure which requires a written complaint to the CCG complaint manager.

Remember that being referred for a full assessment does not guarantee that you will receive NHS continuing healthcare. The main purpose of the checklist assessment is to provide anyone who might be eligible to have the opportunity to receive a full assessment.

The process of applying for NHS continuing healthcare can be complex and confusing. If you would like further information on the assessment process, then visit the Beacon website for expert guidance.


Arranging CHC care with Helping Hands

Here at Helping Hands, we are very much used to working with local authorities and healthcare workers for customers who have funding in place. Our care teams have vast amounts of experience in providing long-term, complex care and we are usually able to get emergency care in place within 24 hours if you need urgent support.

Contact us today if you would like to discuss yours or a loved one’s needs and have CHC funding in place; we will be happy to help.

Call me back now Email us