Understanding CHC in West and North London
The new West and North London ICB represents a significant organisational change affecting nearly 4.5 million Londoners across an ethnically diverse, economically stratified region spanning from Westminster to Barnet. The 13-borough footprint encompasses some of England's most expensive postcodes (Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster) alongside some of its most deprived communities (parts of Harrow, Enfield, Barnet, and Brent). This economic and health disparity shapes CHC outcomes: affluent residents often have faster, smoother assessments; deprived areas face more complex presentations and longer referral pathways.
The April 2026 merger consolidating North West London and North Central London into a single body is a major administrative change that families should understand. During organisational transitions, cases can be delayed or misdirected as teams reorganise. The handover of CHC commissioning to Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) from summer 2026 will further reshape processes. All CHC inquiries should initially go to westandnorthlondon.chc@nhs.net, but families should be prepared for service changes over the next 6–12 months.
The ICB operates one of the highest concentrations of major teaching hospitals and research institutions in England: Imperial College Healthcare, Royal Free London, UCL Hospitals, Barts Health, Great Ormond Street, and Moorfields Eye Hospital all contribute specialist input to CHC cases. This creates both opportunities and challenges — specialist evidence is typically high-quality, but busy teaching hospital systems may not automatically forward CHC-relevant reports to assessors. You must proactively gather medical evidence from all specialist departments involved in your relative's care.
London CHC cases tend to involve higher-cost care packages than national averages (£27,147+ more per eligible recipient in 2022-23). This is partly due to London's higher cost of living and care worker wages, but partly reflects the complex health profiles and multiple specialist inputs needed for many London residents. Make sure your evidence reflects the true cost of health-based care provision in London when discussing care packages.
CHC approval statistics for West and North London
Standard-route assessments, 12 months to June 2026. How we calculate this
Approval rate
16.5%
National average: 17.7%
Assessments completed
2,090
345 found eligible
England ranking
22 of 36
15th highest approval rate of 36 ICBs
Currently receiving CHC
1,770
22.6 per 50,000 adults
Local resolution requests
22
0 changed to eligible (0.0%)
Year-on-year change
−2.7pp
vs the previous 12 months
How West and North London 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 22 of 36 ICBs on the 12-month rate · Source: NHS England
What this means
West and North London's 16.5% approval rate over the last 12 months sits broadly in line with the national average of 17.7% — roughly 1 in 6 people assessed through the standard route receives a positive decision. The evidence presented at the DST assessment remains the single most important factor within a family's control.
See how every ICB compares: the CHC approval rate ranking for all 36 ICBs.
How to apply for CHC funding in West and North London
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is assessed and funded by your local Integrated Care Board. If you live in the West and North Londonarea, 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 West and North London CHC team on 0208 962 4888 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 West and North London
These tips are specific to applying for CHC in the West and North London area.
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Identify which locality team handles your case early — the CHC process may differ between teams during the CLCH transition. Keep written records of all communications.
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If your case involves a discharge from one of London's major teaching hospitals, the discharge team should offer CHC Checklist screening before any community or care home placement. If they don't, request it proactively.
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During the organisational transition to CLCH (summer 2026), document all interactions carefully. Administrative changes can lead to cases being lost between teams — always follow up in writing with confirmation emails.
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London CHC cases often involve high care costs compared to the national average. Ensure your evidence reflects the true cost of health-based care provision in London, including specialist nursing wages and transport costs.
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For children's CHC, contact the dedicated team at westandnorthlondon.chc.childrens@nhs.net — children's processes differ from adult assessments and involve education and social care integration.
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Make use of the high-quality specialist evidence available from London's teaching hospitals. Medical records from Imperial, Royal Free, UCL Hospitals, and Barts tend to be thorough — request them proactively and include them in full 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 westandnorthlondon.icb.nhs.uk/freedom-of-information or search WhatDoTheyKnow.com for 'NHS West and North London ICB continuing healthcare'. Email wnlicb.foi@nhs.net directly to submit a FOI request for local CHC approval rates, assessment wait times, and budget data.
Hospital trusts in West and North London
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.
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
St Mary's Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, West Middlesex University Hospital
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Northwick Park Hospital, Ealing Hospital, Central Middlesex Hospital
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hillingdon Hospital
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital
Whittington Health NHS Trust
Whittington Hospital
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University College London Hospital
Barts Health NHS Trust
St Bartholomew's Hospital, Royal London Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Contact West and North London
Phone
0208 962 4888Website
Visit website →Address
NHS West and North London ICB, 15 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JD
Children's CHC
nhsnwl.chc.childrens@nhs.netFrequently asked questions
How do I request a CHC assessment in West and North London?
You can request a CHC Checklist screening at any time by contacting your GP, hospital ward, or the CHC team directly at westandnorthlondon.chc@nhs.net or 0208 962 4888. 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.
What is changing with the April 2026 merger and CLCH handover?
On 1 April 2026, NHS North West London and NHS North Central London merged to form NHS West and North London ICB. From summer 2026, CHC commissioning transitions to Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH). During this period, service contact details and processes may change. For current contact information, email westandnorthlondon.chc@nhs.net.
My relative is being discharged from a London teaching hospital. How do I ensure they get a CHC Checklist?
Teaching hospital discharge teams (Imperial, Royal Free, Barts, UCL Hospitals, etc.) should offer CHC Checklist screening before any discharge to a care setting. If they don't mention it, ask directly: 'Is my relative eligible for a CHC Checklist screening?' This applies whether the person is going home, to a care home, or to a community hospital.
Can I appeal a CHC decision in West and North London?
Yes. You have six months from the date of your decision letter to challenge the outcome. Start with local resolution through the ICB or CLCH, then escalate to an NHS England Independent Review Panel if needed. Free support is available from Beacon CHC (0345 548 0300).