Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps NHS England is taking to fulfil its oversight responsibilities for NHS Continuing Healthcare as set out in paragraph 23 of the National Framework.

NHS England operates an assurance regime to promote accurate assessment, equal access, standardisation, and consistency within NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This involves regional assurance meetings every two months, with a focus on reducing unwarranted variation in CHC. It will continue working with local systems to ensure appropriate application of the National Framework for CHC.

The NHS Performance and Assessment Framework for 2026/27 includes a standard for integrated care boards to monitor the percentage of Standard CHC referrals completed within 28 days.