Some children and young people have very complex health needs. These may be the result of congenital conditions, long-term or life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, disability. Or they could be the effects of serious illness or injury.
These needs may be so complex that they cannot be met by the NHS services which are routinely available to all patients from GP practices, hospitals or in the community.
Children and young people with complex healthcare needs may be eligible for additional health support, known as Children and Young People’s Continuing Care, until their eighteenth birthday.
From age 18 onwards this ongoing care would need to be provided through Continuing Healthcare or Funded Nursing Care. However, a child or young person who receives Children and Young People’s Continuing Care will not automatically be eligible for Continuing Healthcare for adults.