How Much Does Care Cost Without NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding?

Understanding the cost of care, and what it means when NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is not in place, is one of the clearest ways to appreciate what is at stake in the NHS Continuing Healthcare process.

What does a care home cost in England?

Care home fees vary significantly by location, type of home, and level of care required. As a general guide for England:

• Residential care homes: approximately £800 to £1,200 per week (£40,000 to £62,000 per year)

• Nursing homes (with registered nursing input): approximately £1,000 to £1,500 per week (£52,000 to £78,000 per year)

• Specialist dementia nursing care: commonly £1,200 to £1,800 per week or more

In London and the South East, fees are typically at the higher end or above these ranges.

Who pays when NHS Continuing Healthcare is not in place?

Without NHS Continuing Healthcare, care home fees are funded in one of two ways:

• Self-funding: The person (or their family) pays the full cost from their own savings, income, and assets, including the value of their property in many cases.

• Local authority funding: Once the person's assets fall below the upper capital limit (£23,250 in England at the time of writing), the local authority may contribute to care costs, but typically at a lower rate than the full fee, which can result in top-up fees that families are expected to pay.

What is the means test threshold?

In England, a person must fund their own care in full until their assets fall below £23,250. Below this level, the local authority takes over funding, but only at the local authority's assessed contribution rate, which may not cover the actual cost of the care home the person is in.

What does NHS Continuing Healthcare change?

If a person qualifies for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS funds their care in full. There is no means test. The person's savings, property, and income are completely irrelevant. The funding continues for as long as eligibility is maintained.

For a family that would otherwise be spending £60,000 to £100,000 per year on care home fees, NHS Continuing Healthcare represents a complete removal of that cost. The financial significance cannot be overstated.

How can SG67 help?

SG67 assists families in obtaining the NHS Continuing Healthcare funding their loved ones are entitled to, at the assessment stage, in appeals, and through retrospective claims for historic costs. A free initial consultation is available to discuss whether a particular situation is likely to meet the NHS Continuing Healthcare threshold.