Common Health Question
NHS-funded nursing care is care provided by a registered nurse for people who live in a care home. The NHS will pay a flat rate contribution directly to the care home towards the cost of this registered nursing care.
You may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care if:
You should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare before a decision is made about whether you are eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.
Most people don't need a separate assessment for NHS-funded nursing care. However, if you do need an assessment or you haven't already had one, your clinical commissioning group (CCG) can arrange an assessment for you. Find your local CCG.
If you're eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care provided by registered nurses employed by the care home. Services provided by a registered nurse can include planning, supervising and monitoring nursing and healthcare tasks, as well as direct nursing care.
If you're not eligible for NHS-funded nursing care and you don't agree with the decision about your eligibility, you can ask your CCG to review the decision.
NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. In April 2017, the rate was set at £155.05 a week (standard rate).
Before October 1 2007, there were three different levels or bands of payment for NHS-funded nursing care – low, medium and high.
If you moved into a care home before October 1 2007, and you were on the low or medium bands, you would have been transferred to the standard rate from that date.
If you moved into a care home before October 1 2007, and you were on the high band, NHS-funded nursing care is paid at a higher rate. In April 2017, the higher rate was set at £213.32 a week. You’re entitled to continue on this rate unless:
Read the answers to more questions about caring, carers and long-term conditions.