If you pay some or all of your own fees in a care home where you’re receiving care from a registered nurse or doctor, you might be entitled to Registered Nursing Care Contribution towards the cost of treatment. Typically this will reduce the amount you pay in fees, so it’s worth checking.
- What is Registered Nursing Care Contribution?
- How does Registered Nursing Care Contribution work?
- Can you receive Registered Nursing Care Contribution if your stay is only temporary?
- How much is Registered Nursing Care Contribution?
- How to apply for Registered Nursing Care Contribution
- What other NHS services are available in care homes?
- More information on NHS funding in care homes and Registered Nursing Care Contribution
What is Registered Nursing Care Contribution?
Registered Nursing Care Contribution is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit, paid by the NHS to cover nursing or medical care.
It’s paid whether you’re self-financing your care or your local authority or trust is paying for it.
To be eligible, you must:
- Need nursing care.
- Stay in a care home or residential home that can provide nursing care.
If you live in Northern Ireland, Registered Nursing Care Contribution is paid by your local Health and Social Care Trust.
For more details download the leaflet ‘Payments for Nursing Care’ from the nidirect website.
How does Registered Nursing Care Contribution work?
Your care needs are assessed before you go into a care home.
If you’re assessed as needing nursing care, the NHS (or Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland) will pay Registered Nursing Care Contribution towards your nursing fees.
It’s paid directly to the care home to reimburse them for the nursing care they’re providing for you.
If you’re paying all your own fees, which include nursing costs, the amount you’ll end up paying will be reduced by the Registered Nursing Care Contribution amount.
If you only pay some of your care costs, you might still be better off.
The care home is obliged to show you how Registered Nursing Care Contribution reduces your fees.
If you don’t see any difference, ask them about it.
Registered Nursing Care Contribution won’t be paid if you go into hospital, but you’ll probably still have to pay the care home the full fee to keep your room.
If you no longer need nursing care, your Registered Nursing Care Contribution might stop.
Can you receive Registered Nursing Care Contribution if your stay is only temporary?
Did you know?
Registered Nursing Care Contribution is different to NHS Continuing Care funding, which is available even if you live in your own home.
Registered Nursing Care Contribution should still be paid if your stay in the care home is temporary.
If you’re staying for six weeks or less, you won’t have to be formally assessed.
Instead, your need for nursing care will be based on information provided by the care home or your GP.
This can be quite a useful contribution towards costs if you need regular periods of respite care.
How much is Registered Nursing Care Contribution?
The actual amount of Registered Nursing Care Contribution paid depends on where you live in the UK.
| Region | Rates of Registered Nursing Care Contribution |
|---|---|
| England | £112 per week for the standard rate, and £154.14 per week for the higher rate (2015-16) |
| Wales | £140.90 per week (2015-16) |
| Scotland | £78 per week (plus £171 per week Personal Care Allowance) – a total of £249 per week (2015-16) |
| Northern Ireland | £100 per week (2015-16) |
How to apply for Registered Nursing Care Contribution
If your care needs are being assessed by your local authority or trust, ask them to assess you for Registered Nursing Care Contribution at the same time.
If you’ve already had your care-needs assessment, you can contact them afterwards and ask to be assessed for Registered Nursing Care Contribution separately.
Your nursing home’s:
- Health board
- Health and Social Care Trust, and
- Local Clinical Commissioning Group
is responsible for meeting the cost of care provided by registered nurses.
If you’re paying for your own care and would prefer that the:
- Health board
- Health and Social Care Trust, or
- Clinical Commissioning Group
didn’t take on this responsibility, your wishes will be respected.
What other NHS services are available in care homes?
Once you’ve been assessed, you might find you’re entitled to other help from the NHS.
This might include continence aids paid for by the NHS or specialist support or services such as:
- Chiropody
- Physiotherapy
- Pressure relief mattresses, and
- Mobility or communication aids.
More information on NHS funding in care homes and Registered Nursing Care Contribution
Download ‘NHS Funding for Nursing in Care Homes’ from the FirstStop Advice website.
Request a copy of the ‘Registered Nursing Care Contribution’ factsheet on the Advice on Care website.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
