Challenges and Impacts of the NHS Continuing Healthcare (CINCH) Framework within Integrated Care Systems

The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare is the only guidance available to practioners, whether they be nurses, social workers or allied health professionals, when determining if individuals meet the criteria for full funded care paid for by the NHS. There have been complaints and investigations in the NHS CHC highlighting concerns of unwarranted variation in eligibility, assessment delays and financial impacts on both health and social care. This research will explore how the framework application affects those involved and how integrated care systems are changing their operating policies or processes, to enable systems to work better together.