Government Guidance & Tools for
​NHS Continuing Healthcare 

This section brings together key official guidance and assessment tools relating to NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC). These resources are the foundation of every eligibility decision made by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England.

Understanding these documents can make the CHC process clearer and less daunting. They explain the national rules, the assessment tools used by professionals, and how funding decisions are reached.

You can download the latest versions of these documents below, whether you’re preparing for an assessment, seeking a review, or simply wanting to understand your rights and options.

When you work with ARROW, having access to these materials means you can follow each stage of the process with confidence — knowing how your case is being assessed, what evidence matters most, and how decisions should be made in line with national guidance.

Government Guidance

📘 National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-Funded Nursing Care (July 2022) 

​This is the core policy document that defines eligibility, explains the legal principles, and sets out how ICBs must assess and fund care.

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📄 Public Information Leaflet – NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-Funded Nursing Care
​
A concise guide for individuals and families who may need ongoing care and support with health needs.  It explains, in clear terms, what NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC) are, who might be eligible, and how to request an assessment.

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🩺 NHS-Funded Nursing Care Practice Guidance

Official guidance outlining the principles and processes of NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC).It explains how FNC payments are determined, who qualifies, and how this support fits alongside local authority and self-funded care.Useful for understanding how nursing input is recognised and funded when full NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) eligibility is not met.

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Assessment Tools​ 

✅ NHS Continuing Healthcare Checklist

​The official screening tool used to identify individuals who may require a referral for a full assessment of eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). Completed by a health or social-care professional, it helps determine whether a person’s care needs might indicate a primary health need and should therefore trigger a full CHC assessment.

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🗂️ NHS Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool (DST)

The official assessment tool used by multidisciplinary teams to record evidence and apply the eligibility criteria set out in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-Funded Nursing Care. It guides decision-makers through each care domain, helping ensure that assessments are consistent, evidence-based, and in line with national standards.

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🚀 NHS Continuing Healthcare Fast-Track Pathway Tool
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The official tool used to identify individuals who require immediate provision of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) because of a rapidly deteriorating condition that may be entering a terminal phase. It enables clinicians to fast-track funding decisions so that care can be arranged without delay, ensuring timely support for those with urgent and end-of-life needs.

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