Under the national framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and NHS-funded nursing care, assessors have the responsibility of evaluating the needs of individuals to reach a decision about whether any aspect of their care constitutes a “primary health need”.

Reaching a decision about whether a person has a "primary health need" is often highly complex. To achieve positive outcomes for the individual concerned, it is essential that professionals understand the relevant legislation, guidance, case law, processes, policies and procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of different agencies underpinning this complex area.

Course overview

This one-day course will increase delegate’s knowledge of the law, evidence and procedure necessary to correctly work within the legal framework and carry out their role effectively and to best practice.

The course will also cover the new requirements from the 2018 NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) and NHS-funded nursing care framework effective from 1 October 2018.

Delegates will consider the relevant up to date Government guidance, how decisions are made about NHS CHC eligibility as well as to avoid pitfalls in the decision-making process. Delegates will consider the screening and assessment process, as well as the process of reviews and appeals of continuing healthcare decisions.

Key learning points

• Identify individuals who may have a “primary health need” by understanding the legislative basis for NHS Continuing Healthcare as defined by the Secretary of State
• Understand the Clinical Commissioning Groups responsibilities to co-ordinate the process from completion of checklist to decision on funding and finalisation of care plan
• Be able to practically and confidently apply the relevant legislation, and guidance to good practice in CHC cases
• Gain a full understanding of the 2018 NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) and NHS-funded nursing care framework
• Recognise the importance of collecting reliable and admissible evidence in the CHC process and have a clear understanding of how to contribute to the process to ensure clear reasoned evidence-based decisions in line with legislation and guidance
• Be able to complete a CHC checklist, decision support tool and fast track tool to best practice and in an open and transparent way
• Be able to contribute as a skilled, knowledgeable, competent and confident professional through the Multi-Disciplinary CHC assessment process
• Ensure compliance around the statutory requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 around capacity and consent, focusing on placing the individual and/or family/representative at the centre of the process
• Ensure compliance around statutory requirement to source an advocate either under the Care Act 2014 or the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Identify and correctly challenge incorrect CHC decisions

**2024 Dates**

• 16 April 2024 (FULLY BOOKED)
• 8 October 2024