What is a fast-track assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare?

A fast-track assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare is an urgent, specialised process for those with a rapidly deteriorating condition and those who may be entering a terminal phase and need urgent financial aid. The funding is intended to help with the cost of their immediate care, bypassing the usual multi-stage assessments.

The NHS Fast-Track Continuing Healthcare pathway is a separate funding stream provided by the NHS. It is clinician-led, quick, and designed to prevent delays for those seeking essential care.

The decision on who is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is based on a single requirement: that the individual has a rapidly deteriorating condition that may be entering a terminal phase.

This is the only requirement, and it is not necessary to go through the full two-stage assessment process. This is so that an appropriate care and support package can be put in place as soon as possible – usually within 48 hours.

The NHS fast-track assessment, as the name suggests, is swift, enabling funding to be allocated to the beneficiary as soon as possible. There are five simple steps that your doctor or clinician will follow.

• A clinician or doctor will identify deterioration
• A professional will complete the fast track pathway tool
• The fast track pathway tool will replace and override the need for other assessments
• The Integrated Care Board (ICB) will review the application
• If found eligible, care will be put in place immediately.

Any clinician, such as a GP or registered nurse, can complete a fast-track assessment on behalf of the patient and submit it to the ICB. They must have knowledge or experience of the individual’s health needs.

Once the clinician has submitted the Fast-Track Pathway Tool confirming the deterioration of the individual’s health and the ICB Board has reviewed the application, the board will arrange the NHS Continuing Healthcare package as soon as possible, typically within 48 hours.

From our experience, we’ve heard of a number of inaccuracies reported to individuals regarding fast-track NHS funding. It is incorrect that an individual has to have a deemed life expectancy of any particular period. We’re often informed that families have been told their loved one is not eligible for fast-track funding due to the fact they have a life expectancy greater than four weeks. The only requirement for funding is that an individual’s rapidly deteriorating condition may be entering a terminal phase. Clearly, no requirement on a particular time frame of days, weeks or months has been imposed, and as such, it is incorrect for this to be stated.

It should also be noted that if an individual’s health stabilises and their condition is no longer ‘rapidly deteriorating’ and/or they are no longer considered to ‘be entering a terminal phase’, it would be entirely appropriate for the individual to be assessed for full continuing healthcare funding and to determine whether they still meet the primary health need criteria.

Is fast track only for end-of-life care?

Fast-track funding is for those whose conditions are rapidly deteriorating or are approaching a terminal phase.

Can the NHS refuse a fast track recommendation?

Yes, the NHS can refuse fast-track funding, but only in very rare cases, which tend to be due to missing information on the fast track pathway tool.

What if the person is in a care home?

The same process applies, even if the person is in a care home.

What documentation do I need?

The only mandatory documentation that is needed is submitted with the fast track pathway tool, which will be completed by your clinician, so you don’t need to personally worry about any documentation.

How long is fast-track funding for?

Funding does not have a fixed time limit. Once approved, Fast Track CHC continues for as long as the individual remains in a rapidly deteriorating condition and may still be entering or within a terminal phase.