Continuing Healthcare

Address: King Edward VII Hospital, St. Leonards Rd, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3DP 

Tel: 0300 304 9200 

• Adult referrals 
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• Children’s referrals – (up to 18th Birthday) 
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Tel: 0118 982 2900 

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Tel: 0118 982 2701 

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Tel: 0118 982 2708 

Tel: 0118 982 2717 

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NHS Continuing Healthcare - Tel: 0118 982 2900 

If someone needs to be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare, a referral should be made to the team. The referral form can be obtained from each Continuing Healthcare team (see the 'How To Apply' section on this page for details) within the Thames Valley ICB.  

To identify whether a person requires a full CHC assessment, a checklist is undertaken. The checklist will be completed by a health or social care professional. Trained professionals will identify which statement describes the level of need the person has. To see the form, instructions and read more about the checklist, visit the Department of Health’s website.  

The checklist will be sent to the ICB for consideration and approval. Where the ICB identifies a full NHS continuing healthcare assessment is required, and the individual is the responsibility of one of the areas within the ICB (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and East Berkshire), our CHC Team will arrange the assessment. 

When an individual is not eligible for a CHC assessment, the ICB will confirm this in writing. You have the right to ask the CHC team to review their decision if you believe they are wrong. 

The continuing healthcare assessment involves the patient, people caring for them, professionals and their family and/or representative. Friends, relatives and official advocates may also be present. Details of how the assessment is made can be found on the NHS website 

If you need urgent care due to a rapidly deteriorating condition which means a person is coming to the end of their life, the Fast Track Tool and can be downloaded from the Department of Health’s website. 

An appropriate clinician will complete the Fast Track Tool and send it to the CHC Team. The CHC Team will arrange care and support as quickly as possible. 

Once a decision is made, the ICB will write to the person who was assessed and/or their representative(s) to confirm the outcome and the reasons for any decisions. If you are not happy with the outcome you can appeal the decision. 

If you are not happy with the ICB’s decision or are concerned about the process followed by the ICB, you have the right to appeal and request a review of the decision. There are three stages to this process. You can also seek independent advice from Beacon CHC.  

• Local resolution – The CHC team will arrange a local review of the assessment to carefully consider your grounds for appeal. We will agree with the appellant the best way to resolve their concerns, which may include another assessment or consideration of the case by an Appeal Panel.After local resolution if the appellant remains unhappy with the ICB’s decision, they will be advised of their right to request an Independent Review of the decision. 

• Independent Review – Requests can be made in writing to: Eileen Roberts, Continuing Healthcare Manager (South Region), NHS England, South West House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, TA1 2PX. NHS England has produced a helpful leaflet - including some foreign language versions - which describes the Independent Review process.  

• Ombudsman - If the appellant remains dissatisfied with the decision, you can write to: The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP. You can visit the Ombudsman website or call them on 0345 015 4033. The PHSO will review the case and make recommendations as appropriate. 

Complaints – Individuals have the right to complain to the ICB if they are unhappy with the way in which their assessment has been handled. Complaints can be sent to the Complaints Manager, NHS Frimley, King Edward VII Hospital, St Leonard’s Rd, Windsor, SL4 3DP or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

If you are eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the ICB will be responsible for your care planning, commissioning services and your case management. The ICB will discuss options with you as to how your care and support needs will be best provided for and managed. 

When deciding on how your needs will be met, your wishes and preferred outcomes should be taken into account. This should include discussions about your preferred setting in which to receive care (for example, at home or in a care home) as well as how your needs will be met and by who. 

The NHS care package or personal health budget provided should meet your assessed health and associated social care needs, as identified in your care plan. 

Once you are eligible for Continuing Healthcare, we will review your eligibility at least once within the first three months and annually thereafter, or sooner if your needs change. The NHS and local authority should not stop your care or funding without a joint review and reassessment of your needs. They should also consult one another and you about any proposed changes and ensure that alternative funding or services are in place.