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CHC for GPs

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the name given to a package of care which is arranged and funded by the NHS for people outside of hospital with complex ongoing primary health needs. This is assessed by looking at all their care needs and relating them to four key indicators (nature, complexity, intensity and unpredictability).

CHC is provided to both children and adults, it is not dependent on having a particular diagnosis, disease or condition. CHC is provided in any setting, including the home or in a nursing/care home setting as long as the patient meets the national criteria and is registered to a West Sussex GP.

If a GP considers that a patient may require CHC they need to contact those NHS professionals caring for the patient, for example the nursing home manager or community nurse. These professionals will complete the initial referral known as a "checklist" and supply it to the CHC Team.

If the checklist triggers a full assessment of eligibility for CHC the CHC nurse will contact the referrer to arrange a date for a facilitated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Decision Support Tool (DST) Meeting. The GP would be invited to attend this meeting and in addition would need to provide the following information:

  • GP summary
  • Details of any interactions with the patient for the three months previous to the facilitated Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Decision Support Tool (DST) Meeting
  • Details of any information the GP feels may be relevant to the case

For more information regarding CHC or links to helpful leaflets and the professional tools, used to consider CHC eligibility (including the specific health domains that are considered), please visit the CHC Professionals Page.

Frequently asked questions

Click a question to reveal the answer:

Can the CHC Team help me with a Personal Health Budget (PHB) for my patients?

CHC can only offer PHBs to patients who are fully funded under the CHC criteria. For more information regarding Personal Health Budgets in CHC please visit the CHC Personal Health Budgets page.

How long does the process take?

When a correctly completed Checklist referral is received, and all required information is in place, the CHC nurse will complete the initial screening as soon as possible. The CHC Team aim to ensure that an eligibility decision is reached within 28 days of the date the CHC nurse completes the screening of the initial Checklist referral.

What is a Fast Track application?

An individual may be eligible for NHS CHC because they have rapidly deteriorating condition, which may be entering a terminal phase. In such situations the Fast Track Pathway Tool is completed by the NHS professionals caring for the patient and sent to the CHC Team’s dedicated Fast Track Team. The decision for eligibility is made within 24 hours and assistance with placing the patient in the correct care environment is given.

What is the difference between full CHC or NHS-funded nursing care?

Local authorities cannot provide registered nursing care. For individuals in care homes with nursing, registered nurses are usually employed by the care or nursing home itself, in order to fund this nursing care. The ‘NHS-funded nursing care’ is a standard contribution of £112 a week towards the cost of providing registered nursing care for those individuals who are eligible. NHS-funded nursing care is paid directly to the nursing/care Home.

How can I find out how far my patient is in the process?

By calling the West Sussex CHC Frontline Customer Services Team. The team are available Monday to Friday 09.00 – 16.30 on 01903 708 609.

My patient is eligible for FNC, when will this be paid?

Once it has been identified that the patient meets the criteria for the Registered Nurse Contribution (also known as FNC) if they are or they become resident in a care home with nursing, arrangements will be made with the home to commence the payment.