The standard weekly rate per person has increased from £187.60 to £209.19 for 2022-23 for those receiving NHS funded nursing care (FNC). This will also be backdated to 1st April 2022.
A retrospective uplift on the 2021-22 rate has also been applied providing an estimated additional £87 million to the sector, recognising the additional time and work provided by nurses during the pandemic.
Funded Nursing Care (FNC) is paid by the NHS for the nursing element of nursing home fees. The contribution is paid directly to the care home. The funding enables care home residents with specific healthcare needs to benefit from direct nursing care and services. A person is entitled to this contribution whether they are self-funding their care or not. Remember: eligibility for Funded Nursing Care (FNC) should only be agreed once a person has been through the NHS Continuing Healthcare process. FNC is paid to care homes in England by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) as under section 22 of the Care Act 2014, registered nursing costs generally cannot be met by a local authority. CCGs are due to be replaced by integrated care systems, which will be much larger geographically, from July 2022.
Before 2007, there were three rates for NHS-funded nursing care based on need. After 2007, a single rate was introduced with the higher rate remaining for those who were already on this rate before 2007.
For those on the higher band the retrospective increase for 2021-22 will mean an extra £30.17 per resident per week. The higher band rate for 2022-23, with the increase, will be £287.78 per week.
Judy Timson, Clinical Advisor at Moore & Tibbits says:
“The additional funding is absolutely vital in ensuring nurses can continue to provide high-quality, complex care to those residents in need of specialist care and support. It doesn’t stop here though, the cost of this care should continue to be kept under review to enable those who are often the most vulnerable to receive the highest quality of care and support.”
If you have any questions about FNC or NHS continuing healthcare funding, please contact me on 01926 354704 or email: JudyT@moore-tibbits.co.uk.
