I am writing to request the following information about Fast Track Continuing Healthcare under the Freedom of Information Act:

Question 1

How do you ensure that the doctors and nurses you employ are aware of the Fast Track Pathway Continuing Healthcare eligibility criteria and of how to process an application?

Doctors are aware of the Fast Track Pathway Tool Criteria but do not process the assessments. Nurses are very experienced in the Fast Track Criteria and each nurse may complete 3 Fast Tracks per week. The nurses have been specially trained in CHC criteria and eligibility and have continuous updates.

Question 2

How do you ensure that you comply with paragraph 107 of the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care (see below)?

• NHS continuing healthcare assessments, care planning and commissioning for those with end of life needs should be carried out in an integrated manner, as part of the individual’s overall end of life care pathway, and should reflect the approaches set out in the national End of Life Care Strategy, with full account being taken of patient preferences, including those set out in advance care plans.

The assessments are carried out by the Complex Discharge nurses who will have assessed the care needs of the patient depending on diagnosis and prognosis. It will be based on input from Palliative care services and any other relevant agency such as Parkinson’s society, Motor Neurone society etc. The assessment is completed with the patient and relatives consent if necessary and then sent to CCG for ratification and funding. Preferred place of care is communicated to commissioners and every effort is made to meet patients/relatives wishes. Advance care plans are taken in to account and are adhered to as long as this is possible and safe for the individual. The CHC nurse and the palliative care nurse will work together to achieve the best outcome for the patient.