Understanding CHC in Surrey and Sussex
Surrey and Sussex represents one of England's most economically diverse ICB footprints. Surrey's commuter belt (Guildford, Woking, Reigate, Esher) serves some of the country's wealthiest populations; Brighton and Hove has vibrant, diverse communities alongside significant health inequalities; East Sussex's coastal towns (Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne) and West Sussex's market towns (Worthing, Chichester, Horsham) have aging populations, higher deprivation, and distinct health challenges. For CHC applicants, your local postcode significantly influences the health service landscape and CHC experience.
The April 2026 merger consolidated Surrey Heartlands ICB, Sussex ICB, and Surrey Heath (from Frimley), which means families should expect administrative transition and service changes. The new Surrey and Sussex ICB stretches across a vast geographic area — from rural Surrey in the west through London's commuter belt to the Sussex Coast in the south and east. Confirm which CHC team handles your specific postcode early — contact details and processes may be evolving. The transition period may create temporary delays or confusion about which team is responsible for your case.
The region has multiple major hospital trusts, each with different characteristics. Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford is a substantial acute centre; Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals is a teaching trust with strong specialist provision; East Sussex Healthcare runs the region's major coastal hospitals. If your relative is discharged from any of these, CHC screening should be offered before placement in a care home or community setting. Gather medical records proactively from all involved specialists.
Coastal East Sussex and West Sussex towns (Hastings, Eastbourne, Worthing, Bognor Regis fringes) have specific health challenges: aging populations, higher deprivation, limited job opportunities, and health outcomes reflecting these factors. These communities often present with complex, multi-domain health needs. If your relative is from a coastal town and has health needs rooted in deprivation, isolation, or limited local care options, document this explicitly — this is exactly what CHC funding addresses.
CHC approval statistics for Surrey and Sussex
Standard-route assessments, 12 months to June 2026. How we calculate this
Approval rate
7.9%
National average: 17.7%
Assessments completed
3,125
247 found eligible
England ranking
2 of 36
2nd lowest approval rate of 36 ICBs
Currently receiving CHC
1,167
22.8 per 50,000 adults
Local resolution requests
37
6 changed to eligible (16.2%)
Year-on-year change
−2.5pp
vs the previous 12 months
How Surrey and Sussex 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 2 of 36 ICBs on the 12-month rate · Source: NHS England
What this means
Surrey and Sussex found 7.9% of people assessed through the standard route eligible over the last 12 months — 9.8 percentage points below the national average of 17.7%, and 2nd lowest approval rate of 36 icbs. Research by the Nuffield Trust attributes this kind of variation to how the National Framework is applied locally rather than to differences in clinical need. If you have been refused here, the quality of your evidence and a well-argued local resolution request are the levers within your control.
See how every ICB compares: the CHC approval rate ranking for all 36 ICBs.
How to apply for CHC funding in Surrey and Sussex
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Surrey and Sussexarea, 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 Surrey and Sussex CHC team on 0300 561 1421 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 Surrey and Sussex
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Surrey and Sussex area.
action
Identify which predecessor team is managing your case during the transition. While structures consolidate, some service provision will continue under legacy arrangements. Ask your GP or hospital staff which team handles your assessment.
action
If your relative is from a coastal town (Hastings, Eastbourne, Worthing, Bexhill), emphasise the health challenges specific to these communities — aging populations, deprivation, limited local care options, and social isolation. These factors create strong CHC cases.
action
If your relative is treated at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, medical records are typically thorough due to the teaching hospital context. Request all specialist reports proactively, including letters from all involved departments.
action
Surrey commuter towns (Guildford, Reigate, Woking) serve affluent populations where CHC processes may move quickly for straightforward presentations. Conversely, complex cases in these areas may face higher scrutiny — build your evidence carefully.
action
For Surrey residents transitioning from Frimley (Surrey Heath, Waverley area), confirm which CHC team is managing your case. The transition from Frimley to Thames Valley and Surrey and Sussex may have created confusion — clarify this early.
action
Build your case around the distinctive health characteristics of your area — coastal deprivation, suburban aging populations, or specialist provision access — all of which influence CHC eligibility.
action
Search this ICB's FOI disclosure log for local CHC statistics not published anywhere else — approval rates, number of funded packages, average wait times, and budget data are all commonly requested. Visit surreysussex.icb.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information or search WhatDoTheyKnow.com for 'NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB continuing healthcare'. Email surreysussexicb.foi@nhs.net directly to submit a FOI request for local CHC approval rates, assessment wait times, and budget data.
Hospital trusts in Surrey and Sussex
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.
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Surrey Hospital (Guildford)
Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Ashford Hospital (Staines), St Peter's Hospital (Chertsey)
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
East Surrey Hospital (Redhill), Crawley Hospital, Horley Hospital
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Sussex County Hospital (Brighton), Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath)
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Eastbourne District General Hospital, Hastings and Rother Hospital
Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust
Worthing Hospital, Chichester Hospital
Contact Surrey and Sussex
Phone
0300 561 1421Website
Visit website →Address
NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB, Penrhyn House, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9HH
Frequently asked questions
How do I request a CHC assessment in Surrey and Sussex?
You can request a CHC Checklist screening at any time by contacting your GP, hospital ward, or the CHC team directly. Surrey residents: syheartlandsicb.chcphb@nhs.net or 0300 561 1421. Sussex residents: sxicb.aaccenquiries@nhs.net. You don't need a professional referral — anyone can request a screening, including the person needing care, a family member, or a care home manager.
I'm from a coastal East Sussex town like Hastings or Eastbourne. How does that affect my CHC case?
Coastal East Sussex towns have specific health challenges — aging populations, higher deprivation, limited employment, and health outcomes reflecting these factors. These communities often present with complex, overlapping health needs exactly suited to CHC funding. If your relative's needs are tied to deprivation, social isolation, or limited local care options, document this explicitly in your case. This context strengthens your application.
My relative was treated at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals. How does that help?
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals is a teaching trust with thorough medical documentation. Records from their specialist departments (oncology, cardiology, neurology, etc.) are high-quality evidence for CHC cases. Request all specialist reports proactively using your relative's NHS number. Teaching hospital records are a significant advantage in CHC applications.
Can I appeal a CHC decision in Surrey and Sussex?
Yes. You have six months from the date of your decision letter to challenge the outcome. Start with local resolution: Surrey residents contact syheartlandsicb.chcphb@nhs.net or 0300 561 1421; Sussex residents contact sxicb.aaccenquiries@nhs.net. If unsuccessful, escalate to an NHS England Independent Review Panel. Free support is available from Beacon CHC (0345 548 0300).