Registered nursing care contribution

The NHS is responsible for providing nursing care, which is free of charge.

Nursing care is defined as 'services provided by a registered nurse and involving either the provision of care or the planning, supervision or delegation of the provision of care, other than any services which, having regard to their nature and the circumstances in which they are provided, do not need to be provided by a registered nurse'.

A person will normally be assessed by a registered nurse and their decision should try to establish the level of registered nursing needs. The nurse carrying out the assessment may also talk to other professionals involved. A nurse making this decision should take into account all the individual's nursing needs, based on what is known about their condition and their usual behaviour over the course of a week, or a number of weeks. They should also consider the potential outcomes if support were not provided, or were provided in different ways, and should focus on the impact of any decisions on the person's independence, and risks involved for the person, their family and others close to them.

If you were living in a care home on 1st October 2007 your nursing needs will have been in the low, medium or high band, the rates for these bands being £40 - £139 per week. However, from 1st October 2007,

• Residents on the Low or Medium bands will receive the flat rate of £101 per week
• Residents on the High Band will continue to receive £139 per week unless on reassessment:
  • you are found to be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (the full cost of your care will then be the PCT's responsibility
  • your nursing needs have diminished to the extent that if the old guidance relating to nursing bands were applied, you would only be eligible for either the low or medium bands (the PCT will then pay the single rate of £101 from 14 days following notification of the outcome of the reassessment)
  • you no longer have nursing care needs

Residents who enter a care home on or after 1st October 2007 will receive a flat rate of £101 per week, regardless of the level of nursing care required. Your nursing needs will be identified as part of your comprehensive needs assessment and included in your care plan. Respite care will also attract this rate.

Any complaints regarding the nursing care paid for or provided by the NHS can be made using the NHS complaints procedure via the care home, the Primary Care Trust or Health Authority.