NHS Continuing Care for Children and Young People
A Continuing Care package is a term used when a child or young person has complex health needs arising from disability, accident or illness that cannot be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.
These complex health needs could be the result of congenital conditions, long-term, life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, disability or the after-effects of serious illness or injury.
Continuing Care is for children and young people up to their 18th birthday. Thereafter, the NHS Adults Continuing HealthCare framework is to be used.
What do we do?
The continuing care process comprises of an assessment of the child or young person’s health care needs, a multi-agency decision-making panel and then, if found to be eligible, the commissioning of a package of care. This package of care is bespoke to the child or young person.
How do I access the service?
Anyone can enquire about the process however a pre-assessment checklist must be completed by a professional (e.g. a school health advisor/school nurse, children's community nurse, health visitor or social worker), who knows the child or young person best. This must be sent to the Continuing Care Nurse Assessor, along with written consent from the parent/carer. Should you have any questions about Continuing Care, please email dihc.cypcontinuingcare@nhs.net
What happens next?
The completed pre-assessment checklist and the consent form should be sent to the Continuing Care Nurse Assessor at dihc.cypcontinuingcare@nhs.net to see if the child/young person meets the eligibility criteria, and if so, a full assessment will be undertaken.
NHS Continuing Care is a free service. You can find out more on Continuing Care on Dudley CCG or in the National Framework.