PCTs reminded to operate personalised care planning within National Framework

2010-01-20 23:15:45

The Department of Health has written to all PCTs and SHAs to remind them that, within the revised National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care, they should be operating a policy of personalised care planning. An updated version of the Framework was published in July 2009 to take account of the increasing emphasis within the NHS on personalised care. The letter asks PCTs to ensure that continuing care patients’ preferences are taken in account and that they do not lose control over their care if they move from local authority Direct Payments to NHS funding. Although NHS Direct Payments are being trialled, they are not yet widely available. However, other types of personal health budget are now being used by the NHS and PCTs can apply these when planning care for continuing care patients. The letter also covers other issues around the implementation of the National Framework, such as the importance of applying the eligibility criteria consistently across all PCTs. You can read the letter in full at the DoH website.