NHS Continuing Healthcare and Care Homes

Updated 30 October 2026 · Educational resource

NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) is a package of care arranged and funded by the NHS for people with a primary health need. If a person qualifies, the NHS can pay for their care in a nursing home, including accommodation and nursing costs, without a means test.

How eligibility is decided

Eligibility is determined through a two-stage process: an initial checklist followed, if indicated, by a full multidisciplinary assessment using the Decision Support Tool. The assessment looks at the nature, intensity, complexity, and unpredictability of the person’s needs. A diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Decisions can be reviewed, and there is a process for appealing. Hospital discharge teams and local NHS integrated care boards can explain the current process. Families should keep records of assessments and ask for written reasons if CHC is declined.

Disclaimer: CHC rules and processes can change. This page provides general information only. Contact your local NHS body for current guidance.

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