Understanding CHC in Thames Valley
Thames Valley spans some of England's wealthiest regions (Oxfordshire's Cotswold edges, Berkshire's commuter towns, Buckinghamshire's home counties) alongside areas of genuine deprivation (Slough, industrial Reading, pockets of Oxford itself). This economic disparity matters for CHC because affluent retirees with straightforward presentations often have faster assessments and smoother care pathways, while deprived communities present with complex, multi-domain health needs rooted in systemic disadvantage. Your CHC application strategy may need to vary significantly depending on your local postcode.
The April 2026 merger consolidated Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) ICB with East Berkshire (Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell, Windsor & Maidenhead) from the former Frimley ICB. This means families should be prepared for administrative transition and service changes. The new Thames Valley ICB stretches from rural Oxfordshire in the west to the high-density London commuter belt in the east (Slough, Berkshire towns). Confirm which CHC team handles your postcode early — contact details and processes may be evolving.
Oxford University Hospitals is a world-leading teaching centre, particularly for orthopaedics (Nuffield), neurology, and cancer services. Medical records from Oxford tend to be exceptionally thorough and well-documented — this is a significant advantage for CHC applicants whose relatives are under their care. However, teaching hospitals are busy systems where CHC assessment can feel like a minor administrative task. You must ensure your case receives appropriate attention from all involved specialist teams.
Slough and East Berkshire towns have distinct health challenges: higher deprivation, diverse immigrant populations, and health outcomes reflecting these factors. These communities often present with complex, multi-domain health needs and social care intersections. If your relative is from a deprived Slough or East Berkshire area, the complexity of their presentation may be substantial — document this explicitly, as these are exactly the cases for which CHC funding exists.
CHC approval statistics for Thames Valley
Source: NHS England official CHC statistics, 2024/25 · Rank 17 of 36 ICBs in England
Standard approval rate
16.8%
National avg: 19.5%
Assessments completed
1,015
171 found eligible
Fast-track approved
2,556
of 2,556 fast-track assessments
Local review requests
45
24.4% changed to eligible
Currently receiving CHC
1,254
Snapshot Q3 2025/26
England rank
17 / 36
1 = lowest approval rate
How Thames Valley compares — 2024/25
Three-year approval rate trend
National average: 19.5% in 2024/25 · Source: NHS England
What this means
Thames Valley's 16.8% 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 Thames Valley
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the Thames Valleyarea, 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 Thames Valley CHC team on 0118 982 2708 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 Thames Valley
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the Thames Valley area.
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If your relative is treated at Oxford University Hospitals, medical records are typically world-class. Request all specialist reports proactively — records from a teaching centre like Oxford are high-quality evidence for CHC cases.
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Thames Valley has significant socioeconomic diversity. If you're from an affluent area (Oxfordshire villages, Berkshire commuter towns), your case may process differently than from deprived areas. Conversely, if you're from Slough or depressed areas of Reading, emphasise the complexity of your relative's health needs rooted in deprivation and limited local resources.
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East Berkshire (Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell, Windsor & Maidenhead) transitioned from Frimley to Thames Valley in April 2026. During the transition, confirm which CHC team is handling your case and ensure you have direct contact details.
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Thames Valley CHC cases often involve high care costs due to the region's expensive property market and higher care worker wages. Document the true cost of health-based care provision in Thames Valley when discussing funding packages.
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For Slough and East Berkshire residents, language and cultural diversity may be factors — interpretation services should be available. Request these proactively if your family's first language isn't English.
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Build your evidence around the specialist provision available in Thames Valley — if your relative has access to world-class teaching hospital services (Oxford), make sure all specialist input is thoroughly documented in your CHC dossier.
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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 thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information or search WhatDoTheyKnow.com for 'NHS Thames Valley ICB continuing healthcare'. Email bobicb.enquiries@nhs.net directly to submit a FOI request for local CHC approval rates, assessment wait times, and budget data.
Hospital trusts in Thames Valley
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.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Berkshire Hospital (Reading)
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (East Berkshire sites)
Wexham Park Hospital (Slough), Heatherwood & Wokingham Hospital
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Stoke Mandeville Hospital (Aylesbury), High Wycombe Hospital
Contact Thames Valley
Phone
0118 982 2708Website
Visit website →Address
NHS Thames Valley ICB — see thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk for current address
Frequently asked questions
How do I request a CHC assessment in Thames Valley?
You can request a CHC Checklist screening at any time by contacting your GP, hospital ward, or the CHC team directly at bobicb.chc@nhs.net or 0118 982 2708 (legacy BOB contact — verify current details at thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk). 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.
My relative is being treated at Oxford University Hospitals. How does that help my CHC case?
Oxford University Hospitals is a world-leading teaching centre with exceptionally thorough medical documentation. Records from Oxford (especially from specialties like orthopaedics, neurology, or cancer) are high-quality evidence for CHC cases. Request all specialist reports proactively using your relative's NHS number and date of birth. Teaching hospital records are a significant advantage.
I'm in East Berkshire (Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell). How did the Frimley to Thames Valley transition affect me?
From 1 April 2026, East Berkshire moved from Frimley ICB to NHS Thames Valley ICB. This means your CHC assessments are now managed by Thames Valley. During the transition, some processes may change. Visit thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/local-services/continuing-healthcare for current contact details.
Can I appeal a CHC decision in Thames Valley?
Yes. You have six months from the date of your decision letter to challenge the outcome. Start with local resolution through the Thames Valley CHC team — contact details at thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/local-services/continuing-healthcare or use the legacy line 0118 982 2708. If unsuccessful, escalate to an NHS England Independent Review Panel. Free support is available from Beacon CHC (0345 548 0300).