The Department of Health introduced the policy document 'The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care' in 2007 to establish a consistent and standardised guide to implementing the delivery of continuing care.
Continuing care is care provided over an extended period of time, to a PERSON aged 18 or over, to meet physical or mental health needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness.
Further clarification can be found at the Department of Health part of the gov.uk website at: National framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS funded nursing care.
In order to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Framework, the Department of Health has introduced a mandatory collection which requires quarterly figures to report the eligibility for and provision of NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE during the REPORTING PERIOD.
The NHS Continuing Healthcare Quarterly Central Return Data Set is submitted centrally via the Omnibus Survey system maintained by NHS Digital.
Further information on the NHS Continuing Healthcare Quarterly Central Return Data Set can be found on the NHS Digital website at: NHS Continuing Care and NHS Funded Nursing Care Collection.
The collection includes:
- PERSONS aged 18 or over, receiving 100% NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE and recognised as eligible to receive NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE due to a primary health need under the guidelines of National framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS funded nursing care.
- PERSONS still recognised as eligible under the former Strategic Health Authorities eligibility criteria. This also includes PERSONS retrospectively identified as having a primary health need under the guidelines of the National Framework, that is for periods of care from October 1st 2007 onwards.
- A PERSON covered by Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007, who is receiving or is recognised as eligible to receive NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE for a primary health need that is not related to their mental health condition. Note: PERSONS covered by Sections 2, 3, 17 or 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007 are excluded.
The collection excludes:
- PERSONS identified retrospectively as having a primary health need for any period of care prior to October 1st 2007.
- PERSONS receiving either 100% or part NHS funding for NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE through other NHS funding streams.
- PERSONS receiving temporary 100% NHS funding for NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE , pending completion of a decision of eligibility to receive NHS CONTINUING HEALTHCARE.