The NHS Continuing Healthcare process can be slow and immensely frustrating for families. The full assessment process is supposed to take no longer than twenty eight days yet delays are common. Delays in receiving a decision on eligibility can leave families struggling with the cost of care, and cause anxiety over the future. But is there a way to cut down delays?
The future may be digital.
One group think they may have found the solution. IEG4 is working with several clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to put NHS Continuing Healthcare online. They have especially focused upon helping people move from hospitals to other settings where they can then be assessed to ensure that their primary health needs can be met.
Under this new system, theoretically, confirming eligibility could merely take hours. Many cases right now are sitting on desks and not getting the attention they deserve. There are simply too many applications. By putting the system online, it could mean a swifter process for families which would ultimately help to cut down on the stress many experience when applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is an inefficient process.
NHS England has claimed that around 25% of the delays from transferring patients from hospitals to other care settings is because the NHS CHC process is inefficient. Going online could help condense the entire system, and also increase transparency.
Cutting down on delays should be a major objective going forward. People can wait far longer than they are supposed to and that extra time causes stress, anxiety and growing uncertainty over the future at a time when patients may feel incredibly vulnerable.
Whether this will be a system that is rolled out nationwide remains to be seen, but early indicators are that it could be a successful upgrade to a system in desperate need of attention.
Are you facing delays with your NHS Continuing Healthcare application?
If you’re facing delays with your NHS Continuing Healthcare application, or the appeals process, then get in touch with Just Caring Legal today. Rosalind Hughes is a specialist solicitor who advocates every day for people to get the healthcare funding that they may be entitled to. Call us today 0191 556 1078 or email us at [email protected].