Updated June 2026. NHS Continuing Healthcare, often shortened to NHS CHC, is a package of care arranged and funded by the NHS for adults who have a primary health need.

It can apply in a care home, nursing home, hospice or a person’s own home. The important point is that eligibility is based on the nature of a person’s assessed needs, not on their diagnosis alone, where they live, or whether they have savings.

What does NHS Continuing Healthcare mean?

If someone is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS is responsible for arranging and funding the care package needed to meet their assessed health and associated social care needs. This is different from ordinary local authority social care, which may be means-tested.

Families often first hear about CHC when care needs become intense, unpredictable, complex or difficult to manage. That might be after a hospital stay, a move into a care home, a deterioration in dementia, or a change in nursing needs.

Is CHC only for certain diagnoses?

No. A diagnosis can help explain why someone needs care, but it does not automatically make someone eligible. The assessment looks at the overall picture of need. For example, two people with dementia may have very different levels of risk, supervision, behaviour, mobility, nutrition or communication needs.

That is why families often find it helpful to understand the difference between a diagnosis and a primary health need. You can read more in our article on what a primary health need means.

How does the process usually start?

Many people are first screened using the NHS Continuing Healthcare Checklist. If that indicates a full assessment is needed, a multidisciplinary team normally considers the person’s needs using the Decision Support Tool.

The process can feel confusing because it uses NHS language that most families do not meet until they are already under pressure. This website is designed to make those terms easier to understand without offering legal, financial or casework advice.

Where should families start?

A sensible first step is to get familiar with the basic route: Checklist, full assessment if indicated, Decision Support Tool, then a funding decision by the Integrated Care Board. You do not need to become an expert overnight, but you do need to understand the words being used.

Process lesson

Real CHC paperwork tends to turn on the distinction between diagnosis, care tasks and the overall pattern of health needs. That is why this site keeps bringing readers back to the primary health need test.

Quick FAQ

Is NHS Continuing Healthcare means-tested?

No. NHS Continuing Healthcare eligibility is based on assessed health and care needs, not savings or income.

Does a diagnosis guarantee CHC funding?

No. A diagnosis may be relevant, but eligibility depends on the overall assessed needs.

Official information

For formal NHS information, see the NHS page on NHS Continuing Healthcare and the GOV.UK collection on NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care.

General educational information only. Continuing Healthcare Guide does not provide consultancy, advocacy, appeals representation, legal advice, financial advice, medical advice or telephone support.