Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure the adequacy of processing times for (a) applications for and (b) appeals relating to NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Operational delivery of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs), with oversight from NHS England. The National Framework makes clear that ICBs are expected to reach a decision in most cases within 28 days of being notified of an individual’s potentially eligibility. Further information on the National Framework is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-framework-for-nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care

All ICBs must have a CHC local resolution process in place, in order to support individuals who may wish to challenge a decision. NHS England has provided best practice guidance to ICBs, outlining how local resolution should operate. This includes a recommendation that ICBs should complete a request for a local review within three months of receipt. Where it has not been possible to resolve the matter, the individual may apply to NHS England for an independent review of the decision.