Personal health budgets in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Adults who are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding have had a legal right to have a personal health budget since October 2014. NHS England expects that unless there are exceptional circumstances, everyone living in their own home who is in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare funding will have a personal health budget.

Find out more about this on our frequently asked questions page.

Information for professionals introducing personal health budgets is available on the support and resources for professionals webpage.

People who become eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding under the Fast Track Pathway also have a legal right to have a personal health budget. People may choose to receive their end of life care and support as a personal health budget, however there is no expectation from NHS England that this should be the case for everyone in receipt of Fast Track funding.

There are many examples of how personal health budgets can improve people’s experiences of care, and help people get the care and support that is right for them from the NHS.

Mitchell’s story

Mitchell had very complex health needs that meant he was totally dependent on others. Mitchell was one of the first people in England to have a personal health budget, and continued to do so until he died in March 2015, aged 22.  Mitchell was able to live a full and rich life at home, as his family were able to employ a team of personal assistants to care for him. Watch the video of Mitchell’s story.

Mark’s story

Mark’s life profoundly changed following an assault which left him with permanent brain damage, unable to speak and in a wheelchair. He eventually moved out of residential care to live independently, thanks to the flexibility of a personal health budget funded by NHS continuing healthcare.

The independently evaluated personal health budgets pilot (published in 2012) showed that adults in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare, living in their own home were amongst those who benefited the most.

The national framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare

The process of providing personal health budgets in NHS Continuing Healthcare fits well with the case management approach, as set out in the National framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care. This is explained in this animated film, which was developed by the national team to help professionals working in this area: