Young people with complex health needs may be eligible for ongoing support. NHS Devon provides NHS Children and Young People’s Continuing Care (CYPCC or ‘Children’s Continuing Care’). Children’s Continuing Care funding is required when a child or young person has needs arising from disability, accident or illness that cannot be met by existing universal or specialist health services alone.
After a young person’s 18th birthday the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care is used to assess eligibility for support. There are significant differences between NHS Children and Young People’s Continuing Care and NHS Continuing Healthcare for adults. Although a child or young person may receive a package of Children’s Continuing Care, they may not be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare or NHS-funded Nursing Care, once they turn 18.
Our team will support you and your child through the transition process, which will commence prior to their 18th birthday. NHS Children and Young People’s Continuing Care (CYPCC)
Depending on your circumstances one option for your care and health package from the NHS could be a personal health budget.
Who can have a personal health budget?
If you are under 18 and meet children’s continuing healthcare criteria, you can request a personal health budget for appropriate elements of your healthcare. Instead of the Commissioning Team purchasing a service, funding will be made directly available through your parents.
If you are over 18 and you have a disability or complex medical problem, you might qualify for free NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) which could be in the form of a personal health budget; the eligibility criteria are different so you will need a different assessment.
What’s it for?
The aim of a personal health budget is that children, young people, young adults and their parents or carers have greater choice, flexibility and control over the healthcare they receive.
How do I get one?
If you think you may be eligible for a personal health budget, you can discuss this with someone who already provides your healthcare, such as a nurse or physiotherapist.
You can find out more about personal health budgets on the NHS website.