Understanding CHC in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
This is one of England's most ethnically diverse ICB areas, particularly in Leicester City. Significant Asian (Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi), Polish, Caribbean, and African communities create richness and complexity for CHC provision. About 43% of Leicestershire's population identifies as Asian, Asian British ethnicity, and some city-centre wards have 80% ethnic minority populations. For CHC families, this means excellent interpretation support is available (and widely used), but cultural competency in assessments is critical: family structures, decision-making processes, and aging expectations differ across communities and should be explicitly discussed rather than assumed.
Life expectancy in Leicester City (76.7 for men, 80.9 for women) is significantly below the England average, driven by high smoking prevalence, obesity, and health inequalities in some wards. Conversely, Leicestershire and Rutland have life expectancy above England average. This disparity means CHC referrals are heavily urban, concentrated in deprivation hotspots. CHC families in rural Leicestershire or Rutland may encounter long wait times because commissioning infrastructure is weighted toward Leicester; rural areas have less capacity for quick assessment coordination.
The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) is the regional academic teaching hospital; it handles complex cases, multiple admissions, and MDT coordination for the entire area. During periods of high demand or capacity pressure, CHC triage at UHL can be slow (30-50 working days rather than the 28-day target). Families should escalate delays through UHL's Patient Advocate office if assessment extends beyond 40 days. The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides mental health and community services; mental health-focused CHC assessments may involve longer periods of input from LPT specialists, extending overall assessment timelines.
CHC approval statistics for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
Standard-route assessments, 12 months to June 2026. How we calculate this
Approval rate
22.3%
National average: 17.7%
Assessments completed
1,091
243 found eligible
England ranking
31 of 36
6th highest approval rate of 36 ICBs
Currently receiving CHC
839
42.4 per 50,000 adults
Local resolution requests
7
0 changed to eligible (0.0%)
Year-on-year change
−7.5pp
vs the previous 12 months
How Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland 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 31 of 36 ICBs on the 12-month rate · Source: NHS England
What this means
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's 22.3% approval rate over the last 12 months sits broadly in line with the national average of 17.7% — roughly 1 in 4 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 Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutlandarea, 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 Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland CHC team on 0116 504 0112 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 Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area.
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If you are from an ethnic minority community, request a professional interpreter and ask for assessment documents in your preferred language; this is standard practice in Leicester but requires advance notice (10+ working days).
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If your relative has mental health needs, ensure Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) mental health specialists are directly involved in the multi-disciplinary team; do not accept assessment led solely by general health assessors.
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If you live in rural Leicestershire or Rutland, escalate assessment delays to the University Hospitals of Leicester Patient Advocate if timelines exceed 40 working days; rural cases sometimes get lower priority due to UHL's urban capacity focus.
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Document health inequality factors (deprivation, poor housing, limited social care infrastructure) explicitly in your CHC case submission; these strengthen 'primary health need' arguments in Leicester's most deprived areas.
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Clarify early whether your case will be managed by UHL (Leicester) or a community hospital pathway; this affects assessment venue and commissioning team.
Hospital trusts in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
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 Leicester NHS Trust (UHL)
Leicester General Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital, Hinckley & District Hospital, Loughborough Hospital
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Coalville Community Hospital, Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital, Melton Mowbray Hospital, Rutland Memorial Hospital
Contact Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
Phone
0116 504 0112Website
Visit website →Address
Lloyd Pen Building, County Hall, Leicester Road, Leicester, LE3 8RA
Children's CHC
mlcsu.chc.children@nhs.netVisit the official Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland CHC page →
Frequently asked questions
I am from an ethnic minority background and speak limited English. What support is available?
Professional interpreters are provided free for all CHC assessments. Request your language requirement at least 10 working days before the assessment date. Assessment documents can be provided in your preferred language if requested in advance. Contact the CHC team at Mlcsu.spallr@nhs.net to arrange this.
Is my mental health condition enough for CHC, or is it 'just' social care?
Mental health alone does not guarantee CHC, but severe, treatment-resistant, or psychotic conditions causing significant functional impairment can meet the primary health need test. Ensure a mental health specialist (psychiatrist or psychology) from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is involved in your assessment; do not accept assessment by general assessors alone.
I live in rural Leicestershire. Why is my CHC assessment taking so long?
Rural cases sometimes have lower priority in the University Hospitals of Leicester referral queue. Request escalation to the Patient Advocate office at UHL if your assessment exceeds 40 working days. Alternatively, request your assessment be coordinated through a community hospital pathway rather than the acute hospital.
What is the difference between University Hospitals of Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust?
UHL is the main acute hospital trust (general medicine, surgery, emergency care). LPT is the mental health and community services provider. Both contribute to CHC multi-disciplinary team assessments. Your assessment may involve both teams depending on your health needs.