MidlandsICB

CHC Funding in Derby and Derbyshire: The 15.9% Approval Rate Explained

Derby and Derbyshire serves 1.053 million people across a significant urban-rural split. Derby City (261,000 people) is ethnically diverse (26.2% from ethnic minority backgrounds) with younger age profile and substantial deprivation; Derbyshire county is older, more affluent, and more rural. CHC demand reflects these contrasts, with Derby showing higher mental health and acquired brain injury referrals, Derbyshire showing higher dementia and long-term condition prevalence.

Information last verified: 2026-04-06 · England CHC framework

15.9%

Approval rate 2024/25

19.5%

National average

12 / 36

England rank

Approval rate 2024/25

15.9%

National avg: 19.5%

England rank

12 / 36

1 = lowest approval rate

CHC team contact

ddicb.aaccenquiries@nhs.net

01332 401 821

Understanding CHC in Derby and Derbyshire

Derby City is ethnically diverse with significant Pakistani and Indian communities, reflected in the 2024 Census: 73.8% White, 15.6% Asian British or Asian. This diversity is important for CHC families because language interpretation support is available, but must be requested in advance. Additionally, cultural factors around aging, disability, and family care-giving differ between communities and should be explicitly discussed in assessments. The younger age profile of Derby (compared to Derbyshire) means CHC cases more often involve acquired brain injury, workplace injuries, mental health crises, and younger-onset neurological conditions. These complex cases may require longer assessment periods and specialist input.

Derbyshire county presents a different profile: older population, predominantly rural, with lower population density. The distance from Derby City to North Derbyshire areas like Chesterfield can be substantial, affecting hospital access and CHC assessment venue location. Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust serves North Derbyshire and has separate commissioning arrangements from the Royal Derby Hospital; ensuring your assessment route is clear (which hospital, which commissioning team) is crucial to avoid delays.

A significant organizational change occurred January 2026: Derby and Derbyshire ICB took over CHC provision from Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit (MLCSU). This transition created some disruption in case continuity and contact details. The new CHC team (based in Chesterfield) is rebuilding processes and may experience teething problems. Families currently in CHC should confirm their case manager has transitioned smoothly and verify contact details. New referrals should use the current AACC (Adult and Continuing Care) team contact details provided above.

CHC approval statistics for Derby and Derbyshire

Source: NHS England official CHC statistics, 2024/25 · Rank 12 of 36 ICBs in England

Near national average(-3.6pp vs national avg)

Standard approval rate

15.9%

National avg: 19.5%

Assessments completed

1,090

173 found eligible

Fast-track approved

3,319

of 3,319 fast-track assessments

Local review requests

85

8.2% changed to eligible

Currently receiving CHC

1,017

Snapshot Q3 2025/26

England rank

12 / 36

1 = lowest approval rate

How Derby and Derbyshire compares — 2024/25

This ICB
15.9%
National avg
19.5%
England best
42.4%
England worst
5.9%

Three-year approval rate trend

2022/23
22.8%
2023/24
16.6%
2024/25 (latest)
15.9%

National average: 19.5% in 2024/25 · Source: NHS England

What this means

Derby and Derbyshire's 15.9% approval rate sits broadly in line with the national average of 19.5%. Roughly 1 in 6 people assessed receives a positive decision via the standard route. The quality of evidence presented at the DST assessment remains the single most important factor within families' control.

How to apply for CHC funding in Derby and Derbyshire

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Derby and Derbyshirearea, 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 Derby and Derbyshire CHC team on 01332 401 821 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 Derby and Derbyshire

These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Derby and Derbyshire area.

action

If English is not your first language, request a professional interpreter at least 10 working days before your assessment; ensure all assessment documents are provided in your preferred language if possible.

action

Clarify at the outset whether your assessment will be conducted through the Royal Derby Hospital (Derby City) or Chesterfield Royal (North Derbyshire); different teams may handle these areas and response times vary.

action

If you have a relatively young age at the time of CHC referral (under 65), ensure your case is not 'routinely' triaged as low priority—younger adults with complex needs often require specialist input and longer assessment periods.

action

Document all inpatient hospital stays, emergency department visits, and multidisciplinary team meetings in writing; the AACC team will request this during assessment.

action

If your case was previously with MLCSU (pre-January 2026), contact the new ICB team to ensure full case notes have been transferred and there are no gaps in continuity.

Hospital trusts in Derby and Derbyshire

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.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Derby Hospital

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Contact Derby and Derbyshire

Address

NHS AACC Dept, Derby and Derbyshire ICB, Room 93, Scarsdale Hospital, Nightingale Close, Chesterfield, S41 7PF

Visit the official Derby and Derbyshire CHC page →

Frequently asked questions

My case was managed by MLCSU. Has it transferred to the new ICB?

Yes. From January 2026, all Derby and Derbyshire CHC cases were transferred from MLCSU to the Derby and Derbyshire ICB. Contact ddicb.aaccenquiries@nhs.net to confirm your case has transferred and to update your contact details with the new team. Request confirmation in writing.

I live in North Derbyshire. Will my assessment be done at Chesterfield Royal or the Royal Derby?

Your assessment is likely to be coordinated through Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. However, contact the AACC team (01332 401 821) to confirm which hospital will lead your assessment. If you have a preference, request it in writing.

I am from an ethnic minority community in Derby. What language support is available?

Professional interpreters are provided free for all CHC assessments. Request your language requirement at least 10 working days before the scheduled date. All assessment documents should be made available in your preferred language if requested.

What is the Adult and Continuing Care (AACC) team?

The AACC team is the new Derby and Derbyshire ICB's CHC commissioning unit. They manage all CHC assessments, decisions, and commissioning for the area. Previously, this function was provided by MLCSU. Contact them at ddicb.aaccenquiries@nhs.net for all CHC inquiries.

Official resources

CHC funding support for families in Derby and Derbyshire

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