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Supporting You Through the NHS Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool Process

The Decision Support Tool is also known as a DST. 

It is a document used to decide if someone qualifies for

Free NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding

We understand that the CHC and DST process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone

We are here to ensure your needs are fully represented, providing compassionate support to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

We Offer:

🩺 Bespoke Support: Personalised assistance from an Independent Registered Nurse.

💼 DST Meeting Preparation: Assistance and preparation for your Decision Support Tool (DST) meeting.

✉️ Administrative Assistance: Help with phone calls, letters, and emails.

📞 NHS Liaison: We’ll contact the NHS CHC Team on your behalf.

🗂️ Evidence Preparation

  • Advice on what documents and information to send to the NHS as evidence.

  • Option for us to submit these on your behalf.

📋 Care Document Review: We check care documents for quality and relevance

🤝 Support for Care Providers: We will communicate with your care provider, advise them on what to expect at the meeting.

  • Provide guidance on their care records if required.

📚 Clear Guidance: Simple, straightforwad explanations of the CHC framework, the process, the criteria and your rights.

💬 Make sure to use a 'Family Statement of Need' as evidence

☑️ You’ll receive tools to write your own statement, ensuring everything you want is documented.

👍 Alternatively,

Our nurse will write the statement  for you. This is especially useful if: 

Care records are poor or irrelevant.

Care records are non-existent (e.g., you live at home with domiciliary carers).

👩‍⚕️ Meeting Representation

Example of a DST form

Our Independent Nurse will attend the meeting with you - To ensure your views are listened to and that you are supported throughout the process.

What if you are unable to attend the meeting?

Do you hold Lasting Power of Attorney?

Are you the Next of Kin 

We can represent your views and attend on your behalf. This service is ideal if:

🌍 You live abroad or far from the meeting location.

❤️ You are unwell or unable to travel.

⏳ Long meetings are difficult for you to manage.

🙋 You find being in a group setting uncomfortable

Our nurse will attend the meeting for you, represent your views and ensure a fair assessment takes place.

What is a DST Meeting?

A DST meeting evaluates needs across 12 areas. These are called domains, and include areas such as behaviour, cognition, mobility and nutrition.

The domains help identify if someone meets the criteria for the NHS to pay their care fees.

Who Attends the Meeting?

The meeting typically takes place with health and social care professionals - called a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

  • Other people at the meeting can include the care provider, nursing home staff, advocates and family members.

🌟 This is your meeting—invite whomever you wish

Before the Meeting:

Medical records, care plans and reports are collected by the NHS and shared with social care. This is called evidence and can include 

Photos and videos.

Example of a NHS Continguing healthcare DST form

Diary records of events and appointments.

Statements from advocates and health professionals.

At the Meeting:

💬 Evidence is discussed, and each domain is scored by the MDT.

🗒️ All attendees provide their scores and opinions, which are recorded.

🤝 The MDT will usually indicate their funding recommendation to the NHS

After the meeting, we will: 

Reflect on what happened.

Discuss the outcome (or possible outcomes).

Help you consider the next steps.

What are the Next Steps?

📋 When you receive the final decision, we’ll guide you through what happens next, such as:

Exploring whether to appeal the decision if your funding application was unsuccessful.

How to prepare for the review process if your funding was approved.

🔑 With our expertise and ‘Return Client Rates,’ we can help ensure you’re ready for the next stage, reducing the risk of your funding being withdrawn

Best of all,  we guarantee that you will work with the same nurse throughout the next stage of your journey. Ensuring continuity, trust, and a personalised experience every step of the way.

The Benefits of an Independent Nurse Representing You 

🏆 Specialist Knowledge

Our Independent Nurse has extensive medical expertise and a deep understanding of the CHC framework.

💬 Effective Communication

We can clearly present complex medical information to ensure all details are considered.

🔍 Spotting Errors

Our nurse ensures that errors, omissions, or deviations from the process are identified, safeguarding your right to a fair assessment

 Contact us today

Free Initial Consultations:

We offer free consultations to evaluate your situation and explain how we can assist you, with no obligation

Personal Attention: You will work with the same nurse throughout your journey. 

Affordable Expertise & Tailored Solutions: Our services are bespoke to your needs, with simple, cost-effective prices.

🔑 With our expertise and ‘Return Client Rates,’ we can help ensure you’re ready for the next stage of the process

  • Best of all, we guarantee that you will work with the same nurse 

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