NHS continuing care

What is NHS continuing care?

NHS continuing care is a package of care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. It can be provided in a range of settings, from an NHS hospital, to a nursing home, and people's own homes. It should be provided to people whose health needs are such that they are totally the responsibility of the NHS.

When does the NHS pay for care?

Alzheimer's Society has produced a booklet called When does the NHS pay for care? that explains what NHS continuing healthcare is, how to get an assessment and how to complain if you think you have been wrongly charged for care. A brief update, which covers the new National Framework, was also written in October 2007. For more information and other related publications, see the links at the end of this page.

Applying for NHS continuing healthcare is not an easy process to go through or to understand. The notes reflect this. We cannot tell you whether a person with dementia is eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The guidance applies to people in England, but much will also be applicable to people in other parts of the UK.

NHS continuing care volunteer support group

People who believe they have wrongly been denied access to NHS continuing care funding can contact the Alzheimer's Society NHS continuing care volunteer support group to help them challenge decisions.

Further information

Have you been paying for care? leaflet

Alzheimer’s Society campaigns for an end to the unfair system of charging for care. As part of this campaign we are encouraging people to examine whether they have been wrongly charged for care and, if so, to seek redress. This leaflet explains how to do so.

NHS continuing care volunteer support network

This Alzheimer's Society volunteer network can provide advice to people who are already in the process of being assessed for continuing care or are appealing decisions.

The campaign for fair access to fully funded NHS continuing care for people with dementia

Read more about the campaign for fair access to fully funded NHS continuing care for people with dementia and find out how you can get involved.

When does the NHS pay for care?

Guidance on eligibility for continuing NHS health care funding in England and how to appeal if it is not awarded. This booklet has been produced by the Alzheimer's Society and is also supported by Age Concern, Help the Aged and the Royal College of Nursing.

When does the NHS pay for care? (supplement): The Grogan case

Supplement to the above publication.

When does the NHS Pay for care? (update: October 2007)

Update to the above publication, including information about the new National Framework for England, introduced October 2007. With the National Framework, the government has introduced some changes in the rules on who qualifies for NHS continuing health care.