New arrangements have been introduced to provide NHS funded services for people outside hospital with ongoing health needs. Continuing healthcare can be provided in any setting including in the home or in a care home. NHS continuing healthcare is free, unlike help from social services for which a charge may be made depending on income and savings.

For people in their own home this means that the NHS will pay for healthcare, such as services from a community nurse or specialist therapist, and personal care such as help with bathing, dressing and laundry. In a care home, the NHS will pay care home fees, including board and accommodation.

Anyone assessed as requiring a certain level of care need can get NHS continuing healthcare. It is not dependent on a particular disease, diagnosis or condition, nor on who provides the care or where that care is provided. If the overall care needs show that the primary need is a health one, this should qualify for continuing healthcare

Guidance published by the Department for Health is available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=143148&Rendition=Web