Support to Help Navigate the CHC Review Process

When you are awarded Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding, the NHS will conduct regular reviews to ensure your care package remains suitable and of high quality.

It’s crucial to remember that if a change in need is identified a new DST maybe recommended

This could put your CHC funding at risk.

Handling the demands of the CHC review process can feel overwhelming, but help is at hand.

Our review meetings advocacy service connects you with an independent nurse, dedicated to supporting you and ensuring your healthcare needs are accurately assessed

While also helping to reduce the risk of your funding being withdrawn.

CHC Review Advocacy Service

When it comes to CHC reviews, preparation is key. Our expert advocacy service ensures you’re fully equipped for the process, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and a true representation of the individual’s health needs.

Preparing for the Review

Before any review, it is essential to ensure that all care documents are clear, accurate, and provide a true representation of the person’s health needs. This includes:

Care Plans and Assessments from nursing homes and home care providers

Medical records, such as GP, district nurse, and hospice visits, as well as letters from specialists

The assessor will use these documents as evidence to make a judgement on the level of need.

Additionally, ensure you have signed copies of previous assessments, which are vital during the review meeting, including:

Checklists

Decision Support Tools (DSTs)

Funded Nursing Care (FNC) assessments

Fast-Track Tools

Documents from previous reviews

For us to provide the best support, we ask that you share a copy of your most recent DST and previous review documentation ahead of the new meeting.

Overview of Reviews

Possible Review Outcomes:

⚖️ No change - Review annually.

👩‍⚕️ Change: increased need, care package amended - Review annually

🛑Change: reduced healthcare needs - DST recomended.

Full CHC Review

Who is it for?
Full CHC Reviews are for individuals who previously completed a Decision Support Tool (DST) and are currently receiving Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding.

Frequency of Reviews:

🗓️ The first review is within 3 months after the DST.
🔄 Subsequent reviews take place annually.

Duration of Review Sessions:

⏳ Up to 2 hours. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the individual's care

Purpose of a review is to check:

If your needs have changed.
If your care plan is still working well.
If any adjustments to your care are needed.
Whether you still qualify for CHC funding.

📢 "Recommending a new DST serves as a warning that eligibility for funding may be affected, with the potential for funding withdrawal."

Possible Review Outcomes:

⚖️ If an individual's health stabilises, this could indicate a change in care needs.

👩‍⚕️ In such cases, a DST will be recommended.

Fast-Track Review

Who is it for?
Individuals assessed as having a rapidly deteriorating health condition, which may be entering a terminal phase.

Funding Process:
💨 A 'Fast-Track' tool is completed and funding is arranged swiftly without requiring a Checklist or DST.

Frequency of Reviews:
🗓️ Within 6 to 8 weeks of funding allocated.
🔄 If necessary, another review within 1-3 weeks

Duration of Review Sessions:

⏳ Each review may take less that half an hour.

☎️ Some areas will just make a phone.

Purpose of a review is to check:

If your needs have changed.
If your care plan is still working well.
If any adjustments to your care are needed.
Whether you still qualify for Fast-track funding.

📢 "Recommending a new DST serves as a warning that eligibility for funding may be affected, with the potential for funding withdrawal."

Possible Review Outcomes:

⚖️ No change - Review annually.

👩‍⚕️ Change: increased need, care package amended -

DST recomended

🛑Change: reduced healthcare needs !

FNC may stop if the care of a registered nurse is not required

Funded Nursing Care (FNC) Review

Who is if for?
Individuals living in nursing homes who do not qualify for full CHC funding.
🏡 The NHS contributes a flat-rate payment directly to the care home, which should be reflected on the care home invoice.

Funding Process:
🔍 Typically accessed following a CHC Checklist.
📝 It may also be allocated following a DST.

Frequency of Reviews:

🗓️ The first review is within 3 months of the Checklist or DST.

🔄 Subsequent reviews take place annually.

✅However, reviews may occur more frequently if there are significant changes

Duration of Review Sessions:

⏳ Up to 1 hour for people who previously had a checklist.

⏰Up to 2 hours for people who previously had a DST

Updated Rates: 1st Apr 2025: Standard FNC rate is £254.06p

Purpose of a review is to check:

If your needs have changed.
If your care plan is still working well.
If any adjustments to your care are needed.
Whether you still qualify for FNC funding.

📢 "Recommending a new DST could indicate the person IS NOW eligibility for CHC funding."

A woman and another woman on a wheelchair

Possible Review Outcomes:

⚖️ No change - Review annually.

👩‍⚕️ Change: increased need, care package amended - Review annually OR DST recomended

🛑Change: reduced healthcare needs - DST recomended.

Joint Funding Review

Who is it for
🤝 Joint Funding Is for individuals how have been identified as having ongoing health needs that are significant but do not meet the threshold for full CHC funding following a DST.

Funding Process:
💷 Usually following a DST: Collaborative Decision between the NHS and the local authority both parties agree to share the cost and responsibility for the care.

Frequency of Reviews:

🗓️ The first review is within 3 months after the DST.

🔄 Subsequent reviews usually take place annually.

Duration of Review Sessions:

⏳ Up to 2 hours: The exact duration depends on the complexity of the individual's care

🧑‍💻👩‍⚕️Also: A health representative and a local authority representative should both be present making the review longer

Purpose of a review is to check:

If your needs have changed.
If your care plan is still working well.
If any adjustments to your care are needed.
Whether you still qualify for CHC funding.

📢 "Recommending a new DST serves as a warning that eligibility for funding may be affected, with the potential for funding withdrawal."

What We Offer

🩺 Personalised Support

Receive tailored assistance from an experienced nurse, either in-person or virtually, depending on your preferences and needs.

💬 Meeting Preparation

We will help you understand the review process, ensuring you feel confident and informed.

Help you to know what to expect during the meeting.

📞 Communication Support

We can help with emails, phone calls and letters

We’ll can support you to ensure the review is arranged and follows national policies.

We’ll communicate with the relevant professionals to ensure everything is in place for the review.

🗂️ Care Records Review

We can provide support in reviewing your documentation, including care plans, to ensure they are accurate, relevant and effectively prepared for the meeting.

🚗 Review meeting Attendance

A nurse to accompany you to the review meeting

🌟 After the Meeting

We provide feedback, explain the outcome in simple terms and guide you through your next steps. Including possible options that may be available to you.

🌟 What If You Cannot Attend the Meeting?

If attending in person isn’t possible, we’ll represent your views and attend on your behalf. This service is ideal if you:

🌍 Live abroad or far from the meeting location.

❤️ Are unwell or unable to travel.

⏳ Find long meetings challenging to manage.

🙋 Feel uncomfortable in group settings.

If you can’t be there, our nurse will step in to ensure your perspective is fully represented and that a fair assessment takes place.

The Benefits of an Independent CHC Nurse Analysing your DST Outcome

🏆 Specialist Knowledge

Our Independent Nurse has extensive medical expertise and a deep understanding of the CHC framework.

💬 Effective Communication

We can clearly present complex medical information to ensure all details are considered.

🔍 Spotting Errors

Our nurse ensures that errors, omissions, or deviations from the process are identified, safeguarding your right to a fair assessment

Free Initial Consultations:

We offer free consultations to evaluate your situation and explain how we can assist you, with no obligation

Personal Attention: You will work with the same nurse throughout your journey.

Affordable Expertise & Tailored Solutions: Our services are bespoke to your needs, with simple, cost-effective prices.

🔑 With our expertise and ‘Return Client Rates,’ we can help ensure you’re ready for the next stage of the process

Best of all, we guarantee that you will work with the same nurse