Understanding CHC in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is defined by geographic dispersion and rural character. The ICB covers the entire county plus coastal and agricultural areas, but the population is served by just four main hospital sites connected by limited public transport. For CHC families, this means assessment may require substantial travel: a resident in coastal Skegness accessing Grantham Hospital assessment could face 60+ miles of travel. Additionally, the agricultural workforce includes significant numbers of migrant workers (Polish, Eastern European, Romanian) who may have variable residency status, language barriers, and limited familiarity with NHS systems. These communities often present CHC cases at crisis points (hospitalization) rather than through planned assessment pathways.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH) operates the four main acute hospitals plus several community hospitals and diagnostic centres. However, specialization is geographically divided: cardiology and oncology services concentrate in Lincoln; emergency surgery may route through different sites depending on the emergency nature and time of day. For CHC purposes, this means some families face unclear pathways to primary assessment teams, and case coordination may involve multiple hospital sites. The long distances between hospitals also affect emergency admissions: patients may be admitted to the nearest hospital (e.g., Boston) but require transfer to a specialist centre (e.g., Lincoln) for definitive diagnosis and MDT assessment—creating delays in CHC triage.
Lincolnshire's population is aging above the England average, particularly in coastal areas where retirement migration is significant. Dementia and long-term neurological conditions drive the majority of CHC referrals. Mental health-related CHC (psychotic illness, severe bipolar disorder) is less common than in urban ICBs, but when present, access to Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust specialists can be slow due to rural service distribution. Additionally, the scarcity of care home beds outside Lincoln means approved CHC families often face placement backlogs exceeding 12 weeks.
CHC approval statistics for Lincolnshire
Source: NHS England official CHC statistics, 2024/25 · Rank 31 of 36 ICBs in England
Standard approval rate
27.0%
National avg: 19.5%
Assessments completed
721
195 found eligible
Fast-track approved
2,761
of 2,761 fast-track assessments
Local review requests
35
0.0% changed to eligible
Currently receiving CHC
796
Snapshot Q3 2025/26
England rank
31 / 36
1 = lowest approval rate
How Lincolnshire compares — 2024/25
Three-year approval rate trend
National average: 19.5% in 2024/25 · Source: NHS England
What this means
Lincolnshire approves 27.0% of standard CHC applications — 7.5 percentage points above the national average of 19.5%. This is encouraging, but approval rates are an average across thousands of cases. Individual outcomes still depend heavily on the quality of evidence presented at the Decision Support Tool assessment.
How to apply for CHC funding in Lincolnshire
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Lincolnshirearea, 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 Lincolnshire CHC team on 01522 572 686 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 Lincolnshire
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Lincolnshire area.
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If you live in a remote rural area, request home-based CHC assessment; do not accept appointment venues that require excessive travel (60+ miles). Geographic hardship is a valid adjustment ground.
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If you are a migrant agricultural worker or non-English speaker, request a professional interpreter at least 10 working days before assessment. Bring proof of residency (payslip, rental agreement, GP registration) to clarify eligibility.
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Document all A&E visits and hospital admissions in detail; Lincolnshire's dispersed hospital system means records may be scattered across multiple sites (Lincoln, Boston, Grantham). Request consolidated records from ULTH before assessment begins.
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If approved for CHC, contact the care commissioning team immediately; Lincolnshire has acute care home bed shortage. Early engagement increases chances of finding suitable placement within 8-12 weeks.
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For mental health conditions, ensure Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust sends a mental health specialist to the assessment; rural services are thinly spread and easy to overlook in MDT coordination.
Hospital trusts in Lincolnshire
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.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH)
Lincoln County Hospital, Boston Pilgrim Hospital, Grantham and District Hospital, Louth County Hospital, John Coupland Hospital (Gainsborough), Johnson Community Hospital (Spalding)
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Lincolnshire
Phone
01522 572 686Website
Visit website →Address
Continuing Healthcare Team, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, Bridge House, The Point, Lions Way, Sleaford, NG34 9GG
Frequently asked questions
I live in a remote area. Can my CHC assessment be done at home instead of the hospital?
Yes. Contact the CHC team at lincolnshire.chc@nhs.net and request a home-based assessment. Geographic hardship and travel barriers are valid grounds for process adjustment under equality law. Do not accept an appointment venue that requires excessive travel without escalating.
I am a migrant agricultural worker. Am I eligible for NHS CHC?
If you are a permanent UK resident, EU worker with settled status, or have been registered with a GP for 12+ months, you are eligible for CHC. Bring proof of residency and GP registration to your assessment. You have the right to a professional interpreter if English is not your first language.
My relative was admitted to Boston Pilgrim Hospital, but I think they need to be assessed in Lincoln. How does that work?
The CHC assessment team can be based at any ULTH hospital site. Contact your hospital's discharge planner or the CHC team directly to confirm which site will lead your assessment. You can request assessment at a specific hospital if you have a reason (access to specialist services, family proximity), though the decision ultimately rests with ULTH and the ICB.
Why is it taking so long to arrange care home placement after CHC approval?
Lincolnshire has limited care home capacity, particularly outside Lincoln. Placements can take 8-16 weeks post-approval. The ICB is required to arrange suitable care, but availability is constrained. Contact your case manager monthly for updates. If placement is not arranged within 16 weeks, escalate to your local council or Healthwatch.