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. Care Act 2014, c. 23. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents
4. Mental Capacity Act 2005, c. 9. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents
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 the role of Integrated Care Boards in NHS Continuing Healthcare. It covers what a Board is, its responsibility for the assessment process and the eligibility decision, its commissioning role once funding is agreed, its part in local resolution, how responsibility is determined between Boards, and how to contact the right team.
What an Integrated Care Board does in NHS Continuing Healthcare
The Integrated Care Board is the body responsible for NHS Continuing Healthcare in an area. It arranges the assessment, makes the eligibility decision, commissions the care and handles the first stage of any challenge, which makes it the organisation families deal with throughout.
What an Integrated Care Board is
Integrated Care Boards are NHS bodies responsible for planning and commissioning health services for a geographical area. They replaced clinical commissioning groups. For NHS Continuing Healthcare, the Board is the responsible commissioner, which means it holds accountability for the process, the decision and the care that follows.
Responsibility for the process
The Board is responsible for ensuring that Checklists and assessments are carried out properly in its area, that those completing them are trained, that multidisciplinary teams are convened, and that the process runs to the expected timescales. Where any of that fails, the Board is the body accountable, which is why complaints go to it rather than to individual staff.
Making the decision
The Board makes the eligibility decision, working from the multidisciplinary team's completed Decision Support Tool and recommendation. It is expected to accept a properly reasoned recommendation other than in exceptional circumstances. It must give the decision in writing with reasons, together with the completed tool and information about seeking a review.
Commissioning the care
Where a person is eligible, the Board commissions and funds the care package. It must meet assessed needs, and it makes decisions about how they are met, including which providers are used and in what setting. Disputes about the package or the placement are therefore Board matters, and they are separate from the eligibility question.
Local resolution
The Board also runs the first stage of any challenge to its own decision. That lack of independence is the main limitation of local resolution and the reason the NHS England Independent Review Panel exists as the next stage. The Board should confirm in writing when local resolution has concluded, since the next deadline runs from that point.
Which Board is responsible
Responsibility usually follows the person's GP registration, which matters when someone moves area or is placed out of area. Where a person is funded by one Board but living in another area, the funding Board generally retains responsibility. Disputes between Boards should not interrupt care, and interim arrangements should be made.
Key takeaway
The Board runs the process, makes the decision, commissions the care and handles local resolution. It is the body to write to at every stage, and the body accountable when the process fails. Responsibility usually follows GP registration.
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Frequently asked questions
What replaced clinical commissioning groups?
Integrated Care Boards. They are the NHS bodies responsible for planning and commissioning services in an area, and they are the responsible commissioner for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Does the Board carry out the assessment?
It is responsible for ensuring assessments happen properly, but the assessment itself is carried out by a multidisciplinary team. The Board then makes the eligibility decision on the team's recommendation.
Which Board is responsible if we move?
Responsibility usually follows GP registration. Where someone is funded by one Board but placed in another area, the funding Board generally retains responsibility, and disputes should not interrupt care.
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.