Understanding CHC in Hampshire and Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight presents a demographic anomaly within this ICB. While Hampshire follows national ageing trends, the Isle of Wight is older than any English local authority except Christchurch in Dorset. The median age on the island has jumped five years in a single Census cycle — from 46 to 51 — and the trajectory continues upward. By 2031, nearly one in three island residents will be 65+, and one in four will be over 75. This isn't abstract statistics: it means extraordinary pressure on health and social care, limited specialist services, and logistical challenges that make everyday healthcare access extremely difficult.
For CHC purposes, the Isle of Wight's demographic profile means assessments are routine and clinicians are deeply experienced with complex older populations. However, the island's isolation creates coordination challenges. Limited on-island healthcare infrastructure means many specialist assessments require helicopter or boat transfers to the mainland. Emergency admissions often go to Portsmouth or Southampton hospitals, creating multi-trust evidence-gathering. The island-mainland divide also means that some care agency services are reluctant to operate there due to travel costs, leaving limited care options and higher care costs that strengthen the case for NHS funding.
Hampshire (Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, and the wider county) operates through integrated partnerships and has university hospital bases (Southampton General, Queen Alexandra Portsmouth). This supports more diverse specialist access, though rural parts of Hampshire still face geography-related challenges. Southampton and Portsmouth are university teaching hospitals, meaning strong research-backed clinical practice and established CHC assessment protocols.
The ICB divides into four place-based partnerships: Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton. Each has a dedicated CHC contact email. Knowing which partnership covers your location is critical because contact addresses, assessment timescales, and local context can differ significantly. Isle of Wight cases are often expedited due to the island's exceptional health and care system pressures.
CHC approval statistics for Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Source: NHS England official CHC statistics, 2024/25 · Rank 28 of 36 ICBs in England
Standard approval rate
21.0%
National avg: 19.5%
Assessments completed
1,123
236 found eligible
Fast-track approved
3,257
of 3,257 fast-track assessments
Local review requests
82
11.0% changed to eligible
Currently receiving CHC
1,380
Snapshot Q3 2025/26
England rank
28 / 36
1 = lowest approval rate
How Hampshire and Isle of Wight compares — 2024/25
Three-year approval rate trend
National average: 19.5% in 2024/25 · Source: NHS England
What this means
Hampshire and Isle of Wight's 21.0% approval rate sits broadly in line with the national average of 19.5%. Roughly 1 in 5 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 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Hampshire and Isle of Wightarea, 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 Hampshire and Isle of Wight CHC team on 0300 123 4448 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 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area.
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If you are on the Isle of Wight, use this to your advantage: the island's demographic profile means clinicians understand complex older populations intimately. Frame health-led care needs in the context of the island's unique age structure and care access challenges.
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Emphasize the logistical complexity of healthcare on the Isle of Wight: helicopter transfers for emergencies, limited on-island specialist services, care agencies unwilling to serve the island, and high travel costs. These are powerful evidence of healthcare complexity beyond social care.
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Use the Fast Track Tool if applicable. NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight explicitly offers a fast-track pathway for terminal or rapidly deteriorating conditions — clarify eligibility early, as this can accelerate funding if the person meets criteria.
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Southampton and Portsmouth are university teaching hospitals with strong CHC assessment traditions. If your relative is being treated at either hospital, gather evidence from their geriatric or specialist teams; these units are particularly experienced with complex, multi-domain health needs.
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Contact the specific partnership team covering your area: Isle of Wight, Southampton, Portsmouth, or Hampshire. Each has a dedicated email address (hiowicb-hsi.aacc.iow.chc@nhs.net for Isle of Wight, etc.). This routes your case correctly and often speeds up processing.
Hospital trusts in Hampshire and Isle of Wight
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 Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road services
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Queen Alexandra Hospital, associated acute services
Isle of Wight NHS Trust
St Mary's Hospital (Shanklin), Integrated provider for the island
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital (Winchester)
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Community, mental health, and learning disability services across the region
Contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Phone
0300 123 4448Website
Visit website →Address
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, Oakley Road, Southampton SO16 4GX
Children's CHC
hiowicb-hsi.childrenscontact@nhs.netFrequently asked questions
I live on the Isle of Wight. How is CHC different here?
The Isle of Wight is experiencing one of the steepest demographic shifts in England — nearly 30% of residents are 65+, with exceptional growth in the 85+ age group. CHC assessments are very common here, and clinicians understand complex older populations intimately. However, the island's isolation means healthcare coordination is more complex: transfers to mainland hospitals are routine, on-island specialist services are limited, and some care agencies won't serve the island. These factors should be part of your advocacy — they demonstrate healthcare complexity beyond social care. Contact the dedicated Isle of Wight CHC team at hiowicb-hsi.aacc.iow.chc@nhs.net or call 0300 123 4448.
Can CHC assessments happen online on the Isle of Wight?
Yes. The ICB explicitly states that CHC assessments can occur in person or online, with full MDT access to information either way. This is especially useful for island residents who might struggle with mainland travel. You can request an online assessment — this doesn't delay your case.
My relative's healthcare is split between the Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Portsmouth hospitals. How does the MDT work?
The ICB must coordinate across all hospitals involved in the person's care. Southampton and Portsmouth are university teaching hospitals with established protocols for multi-site coordination. Gather medical evidence from all three locations. The MDT will include assessors familiar with the island and with mainland teaching hospital practice, so evidence from any site is valued.
Is there a Fast Track pathway for end-of-life conditions in this ICB?
Yes. NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight explicitly offers a Fast Track CHC pathway for terminal or rapidly deteriorating conditions. If your relative's condition fits (e.g. end-of-life cancer, rapid neurological decline), ask your clinician about Fast Track eligibility. This can significantly accelerate funding decisions. Contact hiowicb-hsi.continuingcare@nhs.net to clarify Fast Track criteria.