If you are in need of extra support with your daily activities at home but you don’t know what your options are or you think you may not be able to fund your care, you should know that there are options available. In this article, you will find out if you are eligible for NHS continuing care funding and how you could receive it.

What is NHS continuing care funding?

NHS continuing care funding is available for people who suffer from a medical condition or some type of disability. In order to find out if you are eligible for NHS continuing care funding, you will first need to go through an assessment.

But what is NHS continuing care funding? NHS continuing care funding, also known as NHS continuing healthcare, is funding provided by the NHS for people whose primary need is a health need. In this case, the NHS is responsible for providing funding for care in a care home, your home or a hospice.

If you are located in England, you should know that the NHS can arrange the care you need for you. If you wish, you can receive NHS continuing care funding via direct payments, also known as a personal health budget, provided that you arrange your own care. By receiving direct payments from your NHS continuing care funding, you get to choose how you manage your care more freely. In short, you will have more control over how your NHS continuing care funding is being managed.

Do you qualify for NHS continuing care funding?

The assessment for NHS continuing care funding is known to be quite strict. At the same time, not many people know that NHS continuing care is something which is available. There is no list you can check to see if your condition or disability qualifies for NHS continuing care funding, but there are certain factors which influence your chances of getting NHS continuing care funding.

Most conditions or disabilities will not qualify for NHS continuing care funding if they are not extremely serious. Some of the health needs which are taken into account in an NHS continuing care funding assessment are terminal illnesses, physical disabilities, mental disabilities, behavioural or cognitive disorders, mobility problems, complex medical conditions or rapidly deteriorating health.

These health needs are not exhaustive, but should only be used as a guide for your NHS continuing care funding assessment application. You may qualify for NHS continuing care funding even though your health need is not listed above.

What happens in an NHS continuing care funding assessment?

The NHS continuing care funding covers care relating to your personal care needs and healthcare. It can cover a carer coming into your home to look after you or specialist therapy for your condition or disability. If you would like to apply for NHS continuing care funding, you may do so by asking your GP or social worker, if you have one. They will be able to schedule an NHS continuing care funding assessment.

But what happens in an NHS continuing care funding assessment? You will first need to go through an initial screening process which will establish if you are eligible for the funds. This first screening will take place in your home or in the hospital. The person carrying out the first assessment can be a doctor, nurse or social worker.

In the first part of the NHS continuing care assessment, the person carrying out the screening will assess things like your breathing, communication, mobility, continence, nutrition, skin, psychological needs, cognition, altered states of consciousness and other care needs.

After you’ve passed the initial screening process, you will need to complete another assessment. The next assessment for NHS continuing care funding will be carried out by a bigger team, usually consisting of two healthcare or social care professionals, who will assess in more detail the points in the initial screening.

It’s important to note that if your health is rapidly deteriorating, you can request for a fast track NHS continuing care funding assessment and you will not have to go through the initial screening process.

What are the next steps?

Once you have passed both assessments and your NHS continuing care funding has been approved, your care plan needs to be laid out and care needs to be arranged. Your care should be suitable for your specific needs. You have the option of having a carer support you at home. You can receive your NHS continuing care funding as a personal health budget, which will go directly into your bank account each month and will cover the cost of your care.

You should know that the person in charge of your continuing care needs will work alongside you to find the best option for your needs. What they will take into account is your safety and security as well as value for money.

Guardian Carers has been providing care for people in all types of settings. No matter what type of funding you receive, whether it’s NHS continuing care funding or a different kind, you can benefit from quality care services tailor-made for your needs.

Our excellent carers are highly skilled and have years of experience in tow, which makes them the best support for you in your home. No matter what type of care you need, whether you suffer from a condition which alters your cognitive functions or your mobility is impaired, our carers can be there to support your daily health needs.

Any type of care at home needs can be accommodated. Whether you need a carer to live-in with you, nighttime care or just part-time care for a few hours per week, this can be arranged. You should remember that as your needs change over time, you have the right to a new NHS continuing care funding assessment.