Understanding CHC in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Nottingham City is one of the most health-deprived areas in England. High smoking prevalence, obesity, and mental health needs are drivers of CHC referrals. The city's ranking as 11th most deprived district (2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation) masks even deeper pockets of extreme deprivation in specific wards, where health inequalities are severe. For CHC families in Nottingham, this means complex cases with multiple comorbidities (mental illness plus substance misuse, cardiac disease plus mental health crisis) are common, requiring longer and more intensive multi-disciplinary team assessments. Hospital capacity at the two major acute trusts (Nottingham University Hospitals and Kings Mill Hospital via Sherwood Forest) can be pressured during winter or periods of high acuity, affecting CHC triage timelines.
The introduction of an online CHC referral portal (Broadcare system) from July 2024 represents a significant shift in access. Families and professionals can no longer email CHC checklists directly; referrals must go through the portal. This change reduces informal referral pathways but can create barriers for less digitally confident families. Families should request support from their hospital discharge team or GP to navigate portal registration and submission if needed. The portal change also means there is a clearer referral audit trail, which can be advantageous during appeals.
Nottinghamshire county and Bassetlaw areas are more rural and affluent, with different CHC demand patterns: older populations, dementia-dominant referrals, and more available care home infrastructure. The addition of Bassetlaw (previously part of a separate ICS) means this area went from separate commissioning arrangements to integrated with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire from July 2022. Bassetlaw families may still experience some administrative confusion about which team holds their case; clarity is important during early contact.
CHC approval statistics for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Source: NHS England official CHC statistics, 2024/25 · Rank 18 of 36 ICBs in England
Standard approval rate
17.9%
National avg: 19.5%
Assessments completed
1,462
262 found eligible
Fast-track approved
3,387
of 3,387 fast-track assessments
Local review requests
59
22.0% changed to eligible
Currently receiving CHC
1,212
Snapshot Q3 2025/26
England rank
18 / 36
1 = lowest approval rate
How Nottingham and Nottinghamshire compares — 2024/25
Three-year approval rate trend
National average: 19.5% in 2024/25 · Source: NHS England
What this means
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire's 17.9% 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 Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Nottingham and Nottinghamshirearea, 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 Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CHC team on 0300 123 1461 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 Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire area.
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From July 2024, all CHC referrals must be made through the Broadcare online portal—not email. Request your hospital discharge team or GP to help register and submit your referral if you are not confident online.
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In Nottingham City, document health inequality factors (deprivation, limited social care, housing insecurity) in your CHC case; these strengthen 'primary health need' arguments in high-deprivation areas.
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If your relative has mental health or substance abuse issues, ensure Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust sends a specialist to the multi-disciplinary team assessment; do not accept assessment led solely by general practitioners.
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If you live in Bassetlaw and were previously under a different commissioning arrangement, verify that your case has transferred correctly to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB; contact the CHC team to confirm.
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Request a 'Local Resolution Meeting' immediately if your CHC is rejected; this is a face-to-face meeting with the CHC team to discuss specific domain failures before formal appeals.
Hospital trusts in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
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.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Kings Mill Hospital
Contact Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Phone
0300 123 1461Website
Visit website →Address
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB, Sir John Robinson House, Sir John Robinson Way, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 6DA
Visit the official Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CHC page →
Frequently asked questions
How do I refer someone for CHC assessment in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire?
From July 2024, all CHC referrals must be submitted through the Broadcare online portal (https://www.broadcare.org.uk/nnicb). You cannot email CHC checklists to the team. If you need help registering or submitting, ask your hospital discharge team or GP for support.
My relative was rejected for CHC. What is a 'Local Resolution Meeting'?
A Local Resolution Meeting is a face-to-face meeting with the CHC team to review the rejection decision and discuss specific domain failures. You can request this within 28 days of the rejection letter. It may resolve your concerns without formal appeals. Contact nnicb-nn.chccommissioning@nhs.net to request.
How long does CHC assessment take?
The national target is 28 days, but Nottingham City's high case volume and complex needs often extend this to 35-45 working days. If your assessment exceeds 40 working days without explanation, contact your case manager or escalate via Healthwatch.
I live in Bassetlaw. Why is my case unclear?
Bassetlaw was added to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB from July 2022. Some administrative confusion may persist. Contact the CHC team at nnicb-nn.chccommissioning@nhs.net to confirm your case is properly transferred and to establish a single case manager.