Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps with NHS England to help improve support for people with dementia who have (a) cognitive, (b) behavioural and (c) other care needs through the continuing healthcare funding process.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) may be appropriate for some adults with dementia who have the highest levels of complex, intense or unpredictable needs, and who have been assessed as having a primary health need. Public information leaflets are already available on GOV.UK, explaining the process used to determine whether someone is eligible for CHC.

NHS England has commissioned an information and advice service for CHC from Beacon to provide independent and high-quality support on navigating CHC assessments, resolution and care planning or to begin an appeal. It is available at the following link:

https://beaconchc.co.uk/how-we-can-help/free-information-and-advice-on-nhs-continuing-healthcare/

In addition, the Department has produced guidance on what to expect from health and care services following a dementia diagnosis.