A Personal Health Budget is an amount of money that is given directly to a person receiving NHS care to pay for their help and support. It is part of a care plan that is agreed between the person, their carers and their local NHS team.
This can be delivered in three ways:
- Direct payment
- Notional payment
- Third party management
Who can have a Personal Health Budget?
Anyone who could benefit from a PHB may be able to have one
At the moment, CHC funded patients have the right to have a PHB if they are:
- Adults registered with a Sussex GP and receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS-funded long-term health and personal care provided outside hospital).
- Children registered with a Sussex GP and receiving NHS Children and Young People’s Continuing Care.
How will it help me?
The NHS believes everything it does should focus on people’s individual health and wellbeing needs. That’s why wherever possible the NHS is trying to “personalise” the things it does.
Many people have said that by using a PHB, they have more flexibility, choice and control over how money gets spent on their care and support and this makes them feel more involved and more positive.
How can Personal Health Budgets be organised?
There are six basic steps to a Personal Health Budget if you fall into groups A and B above:
Getting clear information
The local All-Age Continuing Care (AACC) team can tell you how PHB’s work for people eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare and Children and Young People’s Continuing Care funding.
Understanding your health and wellbeing needs
To determine if you are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare or Children and Young People’s Continuing Care funding your health and wellbeing needs are assessed by a multi-disciplinary team (which may include a community nurse, social worker, and other health professionals). Once you have been found eligible for funding, a Continuing Healthcare practitioner, will discuss with you how the PHB may work. An important part of setting a PHB is agreeing how the care you receive will benefit your health and well-being – your team will talk this through with you.
Working out the amount of money that may be available
As soon as the funding is confirmed, your practitioner can work out the amount that is available. The amount of money will be based on your health and wellbeing needs and considered alongside what a conventional package of care would look like. Have a chat with your practitioner if you have any concerns.
Making a Personalised Care and Support Plan
If you choose to have a PHB, you will need to have a Personalised Care and Support Plan (PCSP). This is developed by you and your Continuing Healthcare practitioner – together you will design a plan that meets your needs and meets NHS funding rules.
Organising care and support
As soon as your Personalised Care and Support Plan has been approved, your PHB will need to be activated – this can be organised in a number of different ways;
- Direct payment – this means we pass on the money directly to you, and you can organise your care (as described in your Health Support Plan)
- Notional PHB – this means the AACC team will buy the services you need directly from the service provider (e.g. a care agency, or if you are in permanent residential accommodation)
- Third party PHB – this means we pass on the money to someone you know who then organises your care for you (as described in your Health Support Plan)
Making sure the money is working for you
Your Continuing Healthcare practitioner is responsible for making sure the help and support you are receiving is meeting your needs. As your needs change, so might your PHB to make sure it is giving you the most appropriate support. Eligibility for CHC funding is also reviewed regularly.