www.wiltshire.gov.uk
NHS - Funded Nursing Care
Fact Sheet No: FS25
Name of Service: NHS - Funded Nursing Care
Abbreviation:
Service Type:
Summary of Service
What is NHS- funded Nursing Care?
“NHS-funded Nursing Care” was introduced in October 2001. It ensures that care provided by a Registered Nurse is provided free of charge whatever the setting.
Nursing care is provided without charge in hospital, or to patients in their own home.
NHS- funded Nursing Care is funding provided by the NHS to care homes providing nursing care. It pays for the provision of nursing care by a registered nurse for people who have been assessed as eligible.
Details of Service
Who is eligible for NHS - funded Nursing Care?
A registered nurse assesses eligibility for NHS-funded Nursing Care. If during the assessment they agree with you and/or your carer or representative that a care home providing nursing offers the best environment in which your health care needs can be met, you will be eligible for this funding.
Short periods in a care home providing nursing care of less than 6 weeks (e.g. for respite) qualify for NHS funding. There is no need for an assessment if it is known at the outset that the stay will be less than 6 weeks and you have already been assessed as requiring nursing care (for example, you already receive care from the community nursing service).
National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS Funded Nursing Care
A national framework mapping out an overall process in England for determining eligibility to Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care to be used by all Primary Care Trusts came in to effect on 1st October 2007.
It provides a set of national tools to support and improve consistency in decision making. It set one band for NHS funded Nursing Care, rather than the previous three band system.
How much is NHS - Funded Nursing Care?
The weekly rate for NHS-funded Nursing Care for eligible care home residents is currently £101.
There are special arrangements in place for people who were already receiving NHS-funded Nursing care before 1st October 2007
Accommodation and personal care costs are met by you and/or the Local Authority (subject to the outcome of a financial assessment).
What if providing the health care part of my care plan costs more than the NHS-Funded Nursing Care rate?
If the Local Authority is contributing to your accommodation and personal care costs they will discuss joint funding of your additional health care needs with the Primary Care Trust.
Reviews
After the initial decision about NHS-funded Nursing Care, the first review of eligibility should take place within 3 months. Usually after that they will take place annually. Reviews will happen more frequently if there is a significant change in your health needs.
You can download a Department of Health public information leaflet about NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care at:
Various organisations provide information about NHS-funded Nursing Care
For example:
Age Concern produces a fact sheet which you can request via their Freephone Information Line on 0800 00 99 66
Or download at: http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/fs20.asp
How and when can you contact us?
Please contact the Social Care Help Desk :
By Telephone
01225 713001
By Fax
01225 713355
By Email
socialcarehelpdesk@wiltshire.gov.uk
Weekdays
Monday – Thursday - 08:30 – 17:20
Friday - 08:30 – 16:20
If you need urgent help outside of these hours, you can call the Emergency Duty Service on 0845 60 70 888
For more information you can either:
- Contact the Social Care Help Desk 01225 713001, or
- Visit the Wiltshire County Council website www.wiltshire.gov.uk/factsheets
This Fact Sheet can be produced, on request, in other formats and languages. Please contact the Social Care Help Desk on 01225 713001.
