Understanding CHC in North East and North Cumbria
North East and North Cumbria is an ICB of extremes. It covers 3.2 million people across a geography that stretches from the dense urban centres of Tyneside and Teesside to some of the most isolated communities in England. This creates a CHC system that must operate very differently depending on location — and families in different parts of the area can expect markedly different experiences.
The region's industrial heritage casts a long shadow over health outcomes. Decades of coal mining, steelworks, and heavy industry have left a legacy of respiratory disease, cardiovascular conditions, and occupational health problems that persist generations after the mines closed. Communities in former coalfield areas have life expectancy up to a year lower than the regional average, with 11-36% higher rates of poor health. For CHC purposes, this creates a population with genuinely complex, health-led care needs — but also one where families may be less familiar with their rights to NHS-funded care.
The ICB operates through four Area Integrated Care Partnerships: North Cumbria, North, Central, and Tees Valley. Each has local contacts and slightly different operational arrangements. This four-area structure means your experience may vary depending on whether you're in Carlisle, Newcastle, Durham, or Middlesbrough — it's worth understanding which area handles your case.
A specific concern for this ICB is documented backlogs in CHC appeals processing. Cooper Care Consultancy has highlighted delays in the NENC appeals pipeline, and the North Cumbria trust was identified in April 2026 as one of five trusts nationally receiving intensive improvement support. Families should expect longer timescales and plan accordingly.
CHC approval statistics for North East and North Cumbria
Source: NHS England official CHC statistics, 2024/25 · Rank 26 of 36 ICBs in England
Standard approval rate
20.0%
National avg: 19.5%
Assessments completed
3,515
703 found eligible
Fast-track approved
8,430
of 8,430 fast-track assessments
Local review requests
38
31.6% changed to eligible
Currently receiving CHC
4,347
Snapshot Q3 2025/26
England rank
26 / 36
1 = lowest approval rate
How North East and North Cumbria compares — 2024/25
Three-year approval rate trend
National average: 19.5% in 2024/25 · Source: NHS England
What this means
North East and North Cumbria's 20.0% 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 North East and North Cumbria
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the North East and North Cumbriaarea, 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 North East and North Cumbria CHC team on 0191 374 4218 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 North East and North Cumbria
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the North East and North Cumbria area.
action
If the person has a background in mining, industrial, or heavy manual work, document the occupational health legacy thoroughly. Respiratory conditions, musculoskeletal damage, and cardiovascular disease linked to industrial exposure are powerful evidence of health-led care needs.
action
Know which of the four Area ICPs handles your case: North Cumbria, North (Newcastle/Gateshead/Northumberland), Central (Durham/Sunderland), or Tees Valley (Middlesbrough/Stockton/Hartlepool). Contact details differ — for Newcastle/Gateshead, call 0191 223 6503; for Northumberland, 01670 335 157.
action
Rural Cumbria families should document any delays caused by geography — limited specialist nurse availability, long travel times for assessments, and gaps in care agency coverage all strengthen the case that care needs are beyond what the local authority can meet.
action
The preventable mortality rate in this ICB is 23% above the national average. Use this context to support the argument that complex health needs in this area are widespread and genuinely health-led.
action
If you experience delays in the appeals process, escalate promptly. The NENC ICB has documented backlogs — don't wait passively for a response. Contact the intake team at necsu.chcintakecorrespondence@nhs.net for status updates.
action
For Cumbria residents whose closest hospital is outside the ICB area (e.g. Lancaster or Carlisle-based patients using services across the Scottish border), ensure all medical records are gathered regardless of which trust provided the care.
Hospital trusts in North East and North Cumbria
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.
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Victoria Infirmary, Freeman Hospital
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Cumberland Infirmary (Carlisle), West Cumberland Hospital (Whitehaven)
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
James Cook University Hospital (Middlesbrough)
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, Wansbeck General Hospital
Contact North East and North Cumbria
Phone
0191 374 4218Website
Visit website →Address
NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB, Pemberton House, Colima Avenue, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderland SR5 3XB
Frequently asked questions
Why is the North East and North Cumbria ICB so large?
It's the largest ICB in England by geography, covering 3.2 million people from Newcastle to the Scottish border and Cumbrian coast. It was formed by merging multiple former Clinical Commissioning Groups. The ICB operates through four local Area Integrated Care Partnerships to manage this scale.
Does the region's industrial history affect CHC eligibility?
It should. Many residents in former mining and industrial communities live with chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal conditions linked to occupational exposure. These are precisely the kinds of complex, health-led needs that CHC is designed to fund. Make sure your CHC application documents occupational health history alongside current conditions.
Are there delays in CHC processing in this area?
Yes. The ICB has documented backlogs in CHC appeals processing, and the North Cumbria trust is receiving intensive improvement support. Families should expect longer timescales, document all communications, and proactively chase progress rather than waiting passively.
How do I contact the CHC team for my specific area?
The main intake team can be reached at necsu.chcintakecorrespondence@nhs.net or 0191 374 4218. For area-specific contacts: Newcastle/Gateshead (0191 223 6503), Northumberland (01670 335 157), North Tyneside (0191 293 1140). They can direct you to the right local team.