Often the care packages relating to patients entitled to NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) can prove expensive.
Given the recent edict from NHS England in respect of running costs this area of expenditure is one that many clients are focussing in on.
When reviewing high cost packages there are a few key questions to ask:
- Are we the Responsible Commissioner? In one respect if you are not this will only succeed in moving the money around the system. However, it is important to remember that ICBs are a creature of statute and are only empowered to do that which statute provides for.
- If you are the Responsible Commissioner is the person definitely eligible for NHS CHC?
- If they are eligible is the package appropriate? Has care been escalated from for example: 2:1 to 3:1 but not come back down?
- Do you have Choice of Accommodation Policy in place?
- Are you conducting regular reviews?
Five simple steps but if applied to say your top 100 costing packages it might make a difference.
Don’t hesitate to contact our very experienced team to discuss any aspect of NHS CHC.