NHS-funded nursing care is care provided by a registered nurse, paid for by the NHS, for people who live in a care home. Your needs will be assessed to decide if you're eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.
Who is eligible for NHS-funded nursing care?
You should receive NHS-funded nursing care if:
- you live in a care home registered to provide nursing care, and
- you don’t qualify for NHS continuing healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse
The NHS will make a payment directly to the care home to fund care from registered nurses who are usually employed by the care home.
How will my needs be assessed?
If you’ve already had an assessment to see whether you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you probably won’t need another one. The assessment you’ve already had should include enough information to assess your eligibility for NHS-funded nursing care.
However, if you do need an assessment or you haven’t already had one, your primary care trust (PCT) will arrange an assessment for you.
Outcome of the assessment
If you’re eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care in a care home that’s registered to provide it. Services provided by a registered nurse can include planning, supervising and monitoring nursing and healthcare tasks, as well as direct nursing care.
If you’re not eligible for NHS-funded nursing care and you don’t agree with the decision about your eligibility, you can ask your PCT to review the decision.
What is the rate of payment for NHS-funded nursing care?
NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. For 2011/12, the rate is £108.70 a week (standard rate).
Before 1 October 2007, there were three different levels or bands of payment for NHS-funded nursing care: low, medium and high.
If you moved into a care home before 1 October 2007, and you were on the low or medium bands, you would have been transferred to the standard rate from that date.
If you moved into a care home before 1 October 2007, and you were on the high band, NHS funded nursing care is paid at a higher rate. For 2011/12, the higher rate is £149.60 a week. You’re entitled to continue on this rate until:
- you no longer have nursing needs
- you no longer live in a care home that provides nursing
- your nursing needs have reduced and you’re no longer eligible for the high band, when you would change to the standard rate of £108.70 a week, or
- you’re entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead
Read the answers to more questions about caring, carers and long-term conditions.
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