On 15 March 2012, the Department of Health announced the introduction of deadlines for individuals to request an assessment of eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, for cases during the period 1 April 2004 – 31 March 2012.

We are therefore asking for individuals or their representatives to notify their local Primary Care Trust (PCT) in respect of previously un-assessed periods of time where there is evidence that they should have been assessed for eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. The time periods and the deadlines for notifying PCTs are as follows:

The announcement of these deadlines introduces a process which will enable any individuals who should have been assessed from 1 April 2004 onwards to be identified and considered for eligibility as soon as possible, because as time passes, detailed recorded evidence of an individual’s needs for the period of time in question may no longer be available.

If you think that this affects you or a family member, then please contact the Continuing Healthcare Team at your local PCT to obtain further information on the process and to discuss this further.

Find your local Primary Care Trust at: www.nhs.uk or on our 'Local NHS' pages.