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Continuing healthcare in Bolton

What is continuing healthcare?

It is a general term, which describes care that is needed over the long term because of illness, injury or disability. It may also be the care needed at the end of life. It can address both physical and mental health needs. It is healthcare that is fully funded by the NHS.

Continuing health care is not intermediate care, transitional or interim care.

Introduction of deadlines

The below documents outline the DH's introduction of deadlines for assessment.

More information

FNC – Advice note on transition to single band

Please see the attached notification from the DH.

Directions 2007


The DoH has now issued new directions - please click on the linls below:

Delayed Discharges (Continuing Care) Directions 2007

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Legislation/DH_078053

Who can apply?


There are eligibility criteria for continuing health care. Individuals requiring health services should be considered for continuing healthcare as soon as future care options are being planned. Many people who are eligible are already known to health services because of their substantial healthcare needs. If it is thought the individual's healthcare needs are close to those that satisfy the eligibility criteria, the assessment process will begin.

How do people apply?


Any individual, family member, carer or service provider can request an assessment which will be conducted by the multi-disciplinary team involved with your care. The first contact should be with your GP, district nurse, care manager or ward manager. They will discuss the eligibility criteria with you. If following this discussion, it is possible that your needs fit the criteria, they will contact the continuing care lead in the primary care trust (PCT).

What happens next?


You will be asked for your consent to be assessed. Assessments from all professionals concerned in your care will be requested. Your own or your family's views will be asked for too. A meeting will be held to discuss the assessments. If it is believed that your needs meet either fully-funded continuing healthcare or a joint-funded package with social services, they will make a recommendation to the continuing care lead at NHS Bolton. You will receive a letter informing you of the decision about funding.

If you are assessed for continuing healthcare, you will be kept informed of the process and outcome of the assessment by one of the care co-ordinators.

If you have any questions about this outcome, contact the continuing care lead on: 01204 462297.

If your concerns can't be resolved at this stage, the continuing care lead will give you information about how to request a review of the decision concerning your eligibility.

If you have any questions about the information on this web page, ask any of the healthcare or social care staff or contact the continuing care lead at NHS Bolton, Sue Nuttall, on 01204 46 2297 or by email at sue.nuttall@bolton.nhs.uk