This chapter sets out when a person with no recourse to public funds can be provided with continuing healthcare, including accommodation, or NHS-funded nursing care.

Continuing healthcare and funded nursing care are not classed as a public funds for immigration purposes. The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed in chapter 4 of the guidance on implementing the overseas visitor charging regulations that NHS continuing healthcare and funded nursing care are not subject to charging for overseas visitors. This means that such care can be provided by the NHS free of charge to a person, regardless of their immigration status and should not be refused to a person solely on the basis of their immigration status or lack of access to benefits.

11.1 Continuing healthcare

A person with long-term complex health needs may qualify for continuing healthcare, which is free social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. Continuing healthcare can be provided in a person’s own home or care home.

An initial assessment can be carried out by a nurse, doctor, other healthcare professional or social worker. If the person meets the criteria for a full assessment, a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will fully assess the person’s needs in order to determine whether they qualify for continuing healthcare. A person will usually qualify for continuing health care if they have at least one priority need, or severe needs in at least two areas, or may qualify if they have a severe need in one area and a number of other needs.

When a person with no recourse to public funds who is experiencing homelessness qualifies for continuing healthcare, it would fall to the NHS to provide and fund their accommodation as part of the continuing healthcare package.

The NHS website provides more information about continuing healthcare is available on the NHS website.

11.2 Funded nursing care

When a person is not eligible for continuing healthcare but is assessed as requiring nursing care in a care home (which is registered to provide nursing care), the NHS will pay a contribution towards the cost of the person’s registered nursing care.

NHS-funded nursing care is available irrespective of who is funding the rest of the care home fees.

When a person with no recourse to public funds who is experiencing homelessness qualifies for NHS-funded nursing care, then the local authority will need to fund the nursing home placement under the Care Act 2014.

The NHS website provides more information about funded nursing care is available on the NHS website.