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Personal Health Budgets 

A personal health budget gives you more choice and control over your NHS care and support, helping you meet your individual health and wellbeing needs.

More choice and control over your NHS care

A personal health budget is NHS funding that helps meet your assessed health and wellbeing needs. It allows you to work with your care team to plan support in a way that suits your life, preferences, and goals. This approach supports personalised care and helps people maintain independence wherever possible.

Personal health budgets are available to eligible adults, children, and young people. Your care team will confirm whether this option is suitable for you based on your assessed needs.

Who is eligible for a personal health budget?

You may be able to receive this type of NHS support if you:

  • receive NHS continuing healthcare
  • receive children and young people’s continuing care
  • receive NHS-funded nursing care, in some cases

Your care team will assess your individual needs to determine eligibility. This decision is based on your care requirements rather than your diagnosis.

Learn more about personal health budgets

What the budget can be used for

This funding supports agreed health and wellbeing outcomes. These are set out in your personalised care and support plan.

For example, support may include:

  • personal care or nursing support
  • specialist therapies
  • equipment to support daily living
  • adaptations to improve safety and independence
  • wellbeing support linked to your health needs

However, NHS funding must only be used for agreed care needs. It cannot replace services that the NHS already provides.

How the budget can be managed

There are three ways this support can be arranged. Your care team will explain each option and help you decide what works best.

The NHS manages the funding and organises your care and support services.

An independent organisation manages the funding and arranges services on your behalf.

You, or your representative, receive the funding and arrange support directly. This option offers the most flexibility but also involves greater responsibility.

How to request an assessment

If you think this type of support may help you or someone you care for, you can speak to a healthcare professional.

You can:

  • contact your continuing healthcare team
  • ask during your care assessment or review
  • speak to your GP or healthcare professional

They will explain the next steps and whether an assessment is appropriate.

Learn more about personalised care