Council and democracy

NHS continuing healthcare

Help after a stay in hospital, an illness or serious accident

NHS continuing healthcare is a package of services arranged and funded by the NHS for people outside hospital with ongoing health needs.

You can get continuing healthcare in any setting, including your own home or a care home. NHS continuing healthcare is free, unlike help from social services for which a charge may be made depending on your income and savings.

In your own home the NHS will pay for healthcare, such as services from a community nurse or specialist therapist, and personal care, such as help with bathing and dressing.

In a care home, the NHS will pay for your care home fees, including board and accommodation.

The NHS has introduced a single, national system for determining eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare.

For details of who qualifies and how assessments are made, please refer to a leaflet called NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care - public information leaflet which you can download or order from the Department of Health website. Select the Dept of Health: publications link on the right and search for NHS continuing healthcare.