Author Archive

Survey: Health & social care professionals, tell us about the CHC resources you would find helpful

Posted on: December 1st, 2023 by Amy
Two women talk

Beacon is developing a web space with dedicated resources for health and social care professionals who work within the complex field of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). To help us develop resources which will offer the most support, we would be grateful if you would fill in this short survey relating to your work within CHC. We expect this survey to take around 10 minutes to complete, but you should feel free to contribute as much or as little time as you like. All responses are submitted anonymously. Click here to complete the survey. Please share this …read more

Beacon’s intimate knowledge of CHC system results in funding of £160,000 for Kate and her mother Gill

Posted on: November 22nd, 2023 by Amy
An older and a younger woman dance together

Kate’s mother Gill was assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and found not eligible. In the months and years following this assessment, the ICB periodically reviewed Gill’s needs and on each occasion concluded there had been no significant change and that therefore there was no need to re-consider her for CHC funding. With Beacon’s assistance, Kate appealed the original assessment decision and was successful at Independent Review (IR). However, the ICB stated they would only pay reimbursement up until the date of the first review. This constituted just 1 month of funding to be reimbursed. Because …read more

Terminology adjustment to paragraph 59 of the National Framework

Posted on: November 14th, 2023 by Amy
Woman types on laptop

Recently the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) made an adjustment to the terminology of paragraph 59 of the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare (NF). The new version of paragraph 59 states: The old version of paragraph 59 was as follows: While this amendment potentially does not change the core meaning of the section of the NF and in fact emphasises the link between the primary health need test and the quantity and quality test established in the Coughlan judgement, it now appears to specifically state that ‘Part A’ of the test only applies …read more

Advocacy Awareness Week 2023 – What is advocacy?

Posted on: November 10th, 2023 by Amy

6 – 11 November 2023 is Advocacy Awareness Week and across the UK organisations have been getting involved by running events, producing resources, and opening up important conversations on the topic. At Beacon we’ve been reflecting on what we understand by the term ‘advocacy’ – what it is, why it’s important, and what its role is in relation to NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI), organisers of the Advocacy Awareness Week initiative, say: “Independent advocacy is a powerful mechanism of support that enables people to say what they want, secure their …read more

Tell Healthwatch Oxfordshire your experience of NHS Continuing Healthcare

Posted on: October 6th, 2023 by Amy
Older couple holding hands walking away from the camera.

Image courtesy of Peter Kindersley via the Centre for Ageing Better age-positive image library Healthwatch Oxfordshire wants to hear about your experience of applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding and support. The county’s independent health and care watchdog is looking for people in the area willing to share their stories so it can highlight what is working well and what could be better. It wants to hear from those who have been successful in their applications for CHC funding, as well as those who have not. Stories can be shared via Zoom, phone or face …read more

DHSC call for evidence on improving integrated commissioning in health and social care

Posted on: September 19th, 2023 by Amy
Woman types on laptop

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is welcoming views on changes to section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 – to increase the use of pooled budgets to support the integration of health and care. The changes aim to encourage system leaders in local areas to use partnership arrangements and pooled budgets more widely, and more flexibly, in ways that will benefit patients. The survey considers current section 75 partnership arrangements and impacts; supporting further integration between health and social care; and widening the scope of section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 to …read more

Should I appeal a Continuing Healthcare eligibility decision? Our expert guide

Posted on: August 31st, 2023 by Amy
Couple look at each other holding hands

Image courtesy of Elliot Manches via the Centre for Ageing Better age-positive image library In this article we outline the grounds on which you can appeal a decision about eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. This may help you to decide whether to launch a challenge. Every year, thousands of people are assessed for NHS funding for long-term care, called NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). According to the National Audit Office, around two-thirds of assessments conclude that the person is not eligible for funding. This can be a huge blow to individuals and their families, and often …read more

Knowing your rights: Being referred for CHC

Posted on: August 8th, 2023 by Amy
Three people in a hospital corridor

Image courtesy of the Centre for Ageing Better age-positive image library Here at Beacon we hear from people across the country on a daily basis. They contact us for information, support and representation, and by talking to these individuals we also become aware of Continuing Healthcare (CHC) patterns and trends nationwide. Recently we are picking up on a number of instances of CHC referrals not being made, for reasons including: A lack of awareness of the set criteria amongst health and social care professionals and referrers, and when a referral should be made CHC teams within …read more

BBC coverage of NHS Continuing Healthcare: Mother stays awake for 60 hours as son’s care breaks down

Posted on: August 8th, 2023 by Amy
Declan in his wheelchair with his mother standing beside him.

Image: Family photo shared via the BBC On Monday 7 August the BBC ran a multi-platform news story regarding NHS Continuing Healthcare, which as experts in CHC Beacon was asked to contribute to. Through a long-form web article and additional radio and television coverage including the Today programme, BBC Breakfast and BBC News at Six the report emphasised that despite recent significant increases in spending on Continuing Healthcare, staff shortages and rising prices have meant that families of people with complex medical needs are lacking the help they need, warning that the NHS system that funds …read more

Celebrating 75 years of the NHS – reflections from the Beacon team

Posted on: July 7th, 2023 by Amy
Handpainted flag hung against a wall reading 'Thank you NHS'

This week marks the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Members of the Beacon team reflect on personal experiences, the concept of a public healthcare system, and the people who work tirelessly within this unique institution.   Dan Harbour, Managing Director: “The NHS care my family received when going through two pregnancies and deliveries was fantastic, timely and caring. Likewise any treatment / investigations my immediate family has needed have been timely, professional and high quality. The clinical expertise and advice provided to my mum’s care home by the community palliative team made that whole situation much …read more

Trustpilot