NHS Continuing Healthcare Eligibility Calculator

Assess potential eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) — free fully-funded care for people with a primary health need. Understand the NHS decision support tool and what CHC covers.

Rate the person's needs in each domain of the NHS Decision Support Tool (DST). This gives an indication — formal assessment requires a multidisciplinary team.

Behaviour (challenging behaviour, mental health)

Cognition (dementia, confusion, orientation)

Communication (ability to understand and be understood)

Psychological and emotional needs

Mobility (falls risk, moving and handling)

Nutrition (eating, weight loss, swallowing difficulties)

Skin and tissue viability (pressure sores, wound care)

Breathing (respiratory needs, oxygen dependency)

Drug therapies and medication (complex medication needs)

Continence (bladder/bowel management)

Altered states of consciousness (seizures, LOC)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare?

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS for people outside hospital whose primary need is health-related. Unlike social care, CHC is free — the NHS pays all care home or home care costs regardless of the person's capital or income.

Who is eligible for CHC?

Eligibility is based on having a 'primary health need'. This means health needs are the dominant reason for care, rather than personal care or social needs. The NHS uses a checklist and then the Decision Support Tool (DST) assessed by a multidisciplinary team to determine eligibility.

What is the NHS Decision Support Tool (DST)?

The DST assesses needs across 12 care domains: behaviour, cognition, communication, psychological/emotional needs, mobility, nutrition, continence, skin integrity, breathing, drug therapies, altered states of consciousness, and other care requirements. Each domain is rated 1-4 in intensity.

What triggers automatic CHC eligibility?

A person is automatically eligible for CHC if they have: a terminal illness (with limited life expectancy) where intensive NHS support is required, have recently left hospital with complex ongoing nursing needs, or meet specific criteria such as requiring 'priority' level needs in one or more domains.

How does CHC differ from NHS-funded nursing care?

NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC) is a contribution the NHS makes towards nursing care costs in a nursing home — currently £235.88 per week in England (2026). CHC covers all care costs. FNC applies to people who don't qualify for CHC but live in a nursing home requiring registered nursing input.

Can families request a CHC assessment?

Yes — anyone can request a CHC assessment on behalf of the person needing care. Request it in writing from the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) responsible for the person's area. The NHS must screen using the checklist, and if met, proceed to full DST assessment.

What if CHC is refused?

Decisions can be reviewed via the NHS internal review process, and then escalated to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Many CHC refusals are successfully overturned on review — it's worth challenging decisions you believe are incorrect.

Is CHC available in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

Free personal care is available in Scotland for over-65s regardless of health need (no primary health need test). Wales and Northern Ireland have equivalent CHC frameworks to England but with slightly different eligibility criteria and funding rates.