There are many different ways in which social care can be provided and many different avenues to consider for support.
However, if you or a loved one has a long-term complex health condition, it may be that you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, which is free health and social care funded solely by the NHS itself.
This particular programme is only available for adults, but there is a continuing care package that children and young people may qualify for if they have specific complex needs as a result of illness, accident or disability that can’t be met through other existing channels.
Assessment
An assessment will need to be carried out by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals that will consider your various care needs to decide what support is required, how complex your situation is and both how intense and unpredictable your needs are, including potential risks to health if the appropriate care isn’t provided as required.
You will be fully involved in the process from start to finish, with your views and opinions taken into account. Carers and relatives will also be consulted, as and when appropriate.
Note that if your needs change, eligibility for this package may be affected. If you’re not eligible, you may be referred to your local council to see if there is any support you can access from them.
You will be able to receive this support in any setting, including the comfort and familiarity of your own home. If you are able to stay at home, the NHS will pay for your care and support package to meet your needs. If you’re in a care home, the NHS will pay the associated fees, including board and accommodation.
What is considered?
The multidisciplinary team (typically made up of at least two healthcare providers from different professions) will consider needs such as:
– Breathing
– Nutrition
– Continence
– Mobility
– Skin
– Communication
– Cognition
– Psychological/emotional needs
– Behaviour
– Medication/treatment
– Altered states of consciousness
Each of these needs are weighed as either being priority, severe, high ,moderate, low or no needs. If you have at least one priority need or severe needs in a minimum of two areas, you would typically expect to be eligible for continuing healthcare.
Reviews
If you are eligible for this support package, a review is usually carried out within three months and then on an annual basis, so as to ascertain whether your assessed needs are still being met.
If it’s found that your needs have changed to such an extent that your eligibility for this support package is affected, a full reassessment of eligibility may be arranged. This can lead to changes in funding arrangements, as NHS continuing healthcare eligibility is based on needs, rather than specific conditions and diagnoses.
Fast-tracked assessment
For people whose health is deteriorating quickly and where they’re nearing end of life, there is a fast-track pathway that can be accessed to ensure that the appropriate support package is implemented, typically within 48 hours.
