Your Funding Options
Complex care at home may be funded through several different pathways depending on a person’s health needs, eligibility and financial circumstances. The responsible NHS team or local authority decides statutory eligibility and funding following assessment.
Your Funding Options
Complex care at home may be funded through several different pathways depending on a person’s health needs, eligibility and financial circumstances. The responsible NHS team or local authority decides statutory eligibility and funding following assessment.
SafeHands Nursing Care works with families, case managers, Integrated Care Boards and local authorities to support the safe arrangement of care through the appropriate funding route.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
For people with complex ongoing health needs
Funding following NHS eligibility assessment
Assessment by NHS team
The assessment process can take several weeks depending on individual circumstances
- •Fully funded by NHS
- •No means testing
- •Funds the agreed package of assessed eligible needs
- •Regular reviews to ensure appropriate care
- •Right to independent review if declined
- •Complex medical conditions requiring nursing care
- •Multiple health needs affecting daily living
- •Unpredictable health conditions
- •Needs assessed against NHS eligibility criteria
- •Regular clinical interventions required
- 1Request CHC assessment through GP or hospital team
- 2Complete initial checklist screening
- 3Full multidisciplinary team assessment
- 4Ask the responsible ICB about assessment and decision timescales
- 5Independent review available if declined
Personal Health Budgets (PHB)
For those eligible for CHC who want more control
Flexible budget for health needs
Through CHC assessment route
Similar to CHC process
- •Flexibility in how care is provided
- •Choice and control over services
- •Can employ personal assistants
- •Mix of different service providers
- •Tailored to individual preferences
- •Eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare
- •Want more control over care decisions
- •Have capacity or appropriate representation
- •Able to manage budget (with support if needed)
- •Clear care needs that can be met flexibly
- 1Request PHB during CHC assessment
- 2Develop support plan with care coordinator
- 3Agree budget amount and management arrangements
- 4Set up payment arrangements (direct payment, notional, or third party)
- 5Regular monitoring and review processes
Local Authority Social Care
For those with social care needs
Means-tested contribution
Social services assessment
Assessment times vary depending on the local authority.
- •Support with activities of daily living
- •Assessment of broader support needs
- •Links to community resources
- •Support for carers
- •Coordination with health services
- •Difficulty with daily living activities
- •Social care needs beyond health needs
- •Need support to remain independent
- •Carer support requirements
- •Prevention and early intervention needs
- 1Contact local authority adult social care
- 2Complete care needs assessment
- 3Financial assessment if care needs identified
- 4Care plan developed if eligible
- 5Regular reviews of care package
Private Funding
Anyone choosing private care
Self-funded or insurance
Direct arrangement
Privately funded care can be arranged following assessment, agreement of the care plan and confirmation of suitable staffing.
- •Care planned following assessment
- •Choice of care provider
- •Flexible care arrangements
- •Availability confirmed with suitable staffing
- •Tailored service packages
- •Anyone able to fund care privately
- •Those with private health insurance
- •Families choosing additional care
- •Interim care while awaiting funding
- •Additional care where separate arrangements are permitted
- 1Contact us directly for assessment
- 2Discuss care needs and preferences
- 3Receive transparent cost breakdown
- 4Flexible payment arrangements available
- 5Confirm the care plan, arrangements and suitable staffing before care begins
Fast Track NHS Continuing Healthcare
For a rapidly deteriorating condition that may be entering a terminal phase
Urgent NHS funded care arranged through Fast Track
Healthcare professional submits referral to NHS
The responsible NHS team confirms the funding and care arrangements
Need help understanding funding?
Our team can guide families, case managers and healthcare professionals through the available funding options and help arrange an assessment.