Understanding CHC in Cheshire and Merseyside
Navigating CHC in Cheshire and Merseyside requires understanding how the region's nine local authority areas coordinate (often separately) within a single ICB framework. CHC assessment can vary significantly between these areas — Liverpool's urban health needs differ markedly from Cheshire East's rural demographics, and this shapes clinical decision-making. Families should identify which local authority manages their case early, as contact details, assessment wait times, and appeals processes can differ.
The region faces acute health inequalities highlighted in the latest Interim Integrated Health Needs Assessment. Wirral reports an 11-year gap in female life expectancy between its most and least deprived areas, with frailty, dementia, and respiratory diseases driving high CHC referral rates in certain postcodes. If you live in a deprived ward, your CHC assessment may involve different pathways and more complex multidisciplinary team involvement.
The Cheshire and Merseyside ICB manages CHC through locality-based teams. The North Cheshire team (covering Cheshire East, Halton, Warrington) operates separately from the Merseyside team (Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Wirral). This split can create confusion around jurisdiction, especially for cases near boundaries. Always confirm which team handles your postcode before submitting evidence.
Frailty and community nursing provision in rural areas of Cheshire East present unique challenges — if you require CHC funding in a remotely populated area, your case may involve longer assessment times as specialist teams coordinate across wider distances. The region's projected population growth (10.8% by 2040) means CHC demand is expected to rise significantly, particularly in Knowsley (+16%) and Cheshire East (+17.4%), which may affect assessment delays.
CHC approval statistics for Cheshire and Merseyside
Standard-route assessments, 12 months to June 2026. How we calculate this
Approval rate
19.5%
National average: 17.7%
Assessments completed
3,164
617 found eligible
England ranking
27 of 36
10th highest approval rate of 36 ICBs
Currently receiving CHC
2,275
49.9 per 50,000 adults
Local resolution requests
55
4 changed to eligible (7.3%)
Year-on-year change
−4.5pp
vs the previous 12 months
How Cheshire and Merseyside compares — 12 months to June 2026
Quarterly approval rate, last 12 quarters
Individual quarters move for reasons unrelated to how an ICB assesses — a backlog cleared in one period can swing the rate sharply. The 12-month figure above is the more reliable measure.
Ranked 27 of 36 ICBs on the 12-month rate · Source: NHS England
What this means
Cheshire and Merseyside's 19.5% approval rate over the last 12 months sits broadly in line with the national average of 17.7% — roughly 1 in 5 people assessed through the standard route receives a positive decision. The evidence presented at the DST assessment remains the single most important factor within a family's control.
See how every ICB compares: the CHC approval rate ranking for all 36 ICBs.
How to apply for CHC funding in Cheshire and Merseyside
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Cheshire and Merseysidearea, here's what you need to know.
Step 1: Request a CHC screening
You can request a CHC Checklist screening at any time — in hospital, at home, or in a care home. Contact your GP or the Cheshire and Merseyside CHC team on 0151 473 8282 to start the process.
Step 2: The Checklist assessment
A healthcare professional will complete the CHC Checklist with you. If you score positively on two or more domains (or one domain at "priority" level), you'll be referred for a full assessment.
Step 3: The full Decision Support Tool assessment
A multidisciplinary team will carry out a comprehensive assessment using the Decision Support Tool (DST). This evaluates your needs across 12 care domains.
Advocacy tips for Cheshire and Merseyside
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Cheshire and Merseyside area.
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Identify your local area team early — contact the ICB on 0151 473 8282 to confirm which Cheshire and Merseyside locality manages your postcode (North Cheshire or Merseyside). Request their direct contact details.
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If you live in a deprived area of Wirral or Liverpool, highlight this in your evidence. Health inequalities mean your case may involve more complex needs — use this to strengthen your advocacy for health-based (rather than social care) costs.
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For rural cases in Cheshire East, expect longer assessment times. Document all coordination between teams and any delays caused by geographic distance. These can be grounds for complaints if timelines slip beyond 28 days.
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Ensure your evidence separates health needs from social care needs clearly. The ICB's boundary disputes with local authorities are common in this region — ambiguous records can lead to rejections based on 'isn't this the council's responsibility?'
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For appeals, involve Beacon CHC early (free helpline 0345 548 0300). North West appeals have shown variation in success rates — documented local advocacy experience can help strengthen your case.
Hospital trusts in Cheshire and Merseyside
These are the main NHS trusts whose patients may be assessed for CHC in this area. If your relative is being discharged from one of these hospitals, ask the ward about CHC screening.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust
Runcorn Hospital, Warrington Hospital, Widnes Hospital
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Southport Hospital, Ormskirk Hospital, Formby Community Hospital
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Leighton Hospital, Victoria Infirmary
East Cheshire NHS Trust
Macclesfield Hospital, Congleton Hospital
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Wirral mental health units, Cheshire community mental health bases
Contact Cheshire and Merseyside
Phone
0151 473 8282Website
Visit website →Address
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, 1 Lakeside, 920 Centre Park Square, Warrington, WA1 1QY
Frequently asked questions
How do I request a CHC assessment in Cheshire and Merseyside?
Contact your locality team directly or ask your GP. For North Cheshire (Cheshire East, Halton, Warrington), contact the North Cheshire locality team. For Merseyside (Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Wirral), contact the Merseyside team. You can also email enquiries@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk with your postcode to be routed to the correct team.
What areas does the Cheshire and Merseyside ICB cover?
The ICB covers nine local authority areas across Cheshire, Merseyside, and Halton: Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington, and Wirral. The region has a population of 2.7 million and faces significant health inequalities, particularly in Wirral and deprived areas of Liverpool.
Why does my CHC assessment seem to be delayed?
Assessment times can vary by locality. Rural areas of Cheshire East often see longer waits due to geographic distances between specialist teams. Urban areas like Liverpool and Wirral may have higher referral volumes, causing queues. If your assessment has exceeded 28 days, contact your locality team to request an update and, if needed, escalate to the ICB's complaints team.
Are there differences between the North Cheshire and Merseyside CHC teams?
Yes — the two teams manage different geographic areas and may have slightly different assessment procedures. North Cheshire (rural/semi-rural focus) and Merseyside (urban focus) have separate contact details and sometimes different wait times. Confirm which team handles your case and request their specific contact details to avoid delays.