Author and Publication
Author: Ben Slater, Registered Social Worker, Founder and Managing Director of Nellie Supports
Reviewed by: Kerry Slater, Director of Operations
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
Citation
1. Department of Health and Social Care (2022) National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-framework-for-nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care
2. Department of Health and Social Care (2022) NHS Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool.
3. R (Grogan) v Bexley NHS Care Trust and others [2006] EWHC 44 (Admin).
4. Social Work England. Professional standards. Available at: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk
Copywright
Copyright © 2026 Nellie Supports Ltd. All rights reserved.
This article is made available for general information, education and professional reference. It may be downloaded, printed and shared for non-commercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced in full, is not altered in any way, and is properly cited as the work of Nellie Supports Ltd. This material must not be edited, adapted, sold, republished, incorporated into commercial products, or used for commercial training, assessment, report-writing or advisory services without prior written permission from Nellie Supports Ltd.
This article does not constitute legal advice, clinical advice or a substitute for a decision-specific professional assessment. Where legislation, government guidance, court forms or external professional materials are referred to, those materials remain subject to their own copyright, licensing and re-use terms.
Abstract
This guide explains how daily care records are used as evidence in NHS Continuing Healthcare cases. It covers which records to request and how, why contemporaneous records carry particular weight, the records most often overlooked, how to read a large volume of records efficiently, what to do where records are thin or missing, and how to present findings.
Care records as CHC evidence
Daily care records are the strongest evidence available in most NHS Continuing Healthcare cases, because they were written at the time, by people with no interest in the funding question, describing what actually happened.
Why they carry weight
Contemporaneous records are made as events occur, for clinical and operational reasons, long before any dispute. They are not an argument, they are a record. That is why a dated entry describing a two hour episode of distress requiring two staff is more persuasive than any letter written afterwards asserting the same thing.
What to request
Daily notes, care plans and reviews, risk assessments, behaviour support plans, incident and accident logs, falls records, repositioning and turning charts, body maps and wound records, food and fluid charts, weight records, medication administration records including as required use and refusals, and any night records.
How to request them
Ask the provider directly first, since many will simply supply them. Where that does not work, a subject access request can be made by the person or by someone with authority to act for them, and providers must respond within the statutory period. Request a defined period rather than everything, as it speeds matters considerably.
The records most often overlooked
Night records, held separately from day notes almost everywhere. As required medication records, which show how often symptoms break through. Rotas and staffing records, which evidence the number of staff required. And any record from a period when the usual regime lapsed, which shows what happens without it.
Reading a large volume efficiently
Do not read chronologically. Pick the three or four domains that matter most in this case and search for those specifically. Note dates and page numbers as you go. Look for patterns rather than dramatic single entries, since a pattern of nightly disturbance across a month is more persuasive than one bad night.
Where records are thin or missing
Poor recording is common and is not evidence that the need is small. Say so explicitly and fill the gap. Family logs kept from now on are legitimate evidence, and a contemporaneous family record of overnight needs and difficult episodes is far better than recollection at a meeting.
Key takeaway
Request a defined period, ask for night records and as required medication records specifically, read by domain rather than chronologically, and cite dates and page numbers. Where records are thin, say so and start a family log rather than relying on recollection.
Add a Title
Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
Add a Title
Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
Frequently asked questions
How do we get the care records?
Ask the provider directly first, as many will supply them. Where that fails, a subject access request can be made by the person or someone with authority to act, and providers must respond within the statutory period.
Which records matter most?
Night records, as required medication records, incident and falls logs, repositioning charts and staffing rotas. Night records in particular are held separately and are the most commonly missing evidence.
How do we read hundreds of pages?
Not chronologically. Choose the three or four domains that matter most and search for those, noting dates and page numbers. Look for patterns rather than single dramatic entries.
Related NHS Continuing Healthcare pages
These links take you to the most relevant Nellie Supports service page and to the supporting guides that explain the surrounding process.
Speak to an independent CHC specialist
Nellie Supports prepares independent needs evidence for NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments, reviews and appeals across England and Wales. Our reports are written by registered social workers on a permanent employed team, with internal peer review before release. Call 0333 987 5118 or send an enquiry and we will talk through where you are in the process.