What is an MDT meeting?
An MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting plays a key role in planning complex care, bringing together professionals from different specialisms to decide the best course of action.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at what MDT meetings involve, why they matter, and what “MDT meeting” means in the context of CHC funding.
What are MDT meetings for?
Broadly speaking, MDT meetings are used to coordinate care for people with complex medical or support needs, bringing together professionals from different fields to develop a clear, joined-up treatment plan for the patient.
Depending on the case, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) may include:
- Consultants or GPs
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Social workers and care coordinators
- Physiotherapists or occupational therapists
- Dietitians, psychologists or speech therapists
The aim of these meetings is to ensure individual patients receive the right support tailored to them, based on accurate evidence and collaborative input from all attendees, and are designed to avoid rushed or biased decisions.
Are MDT meetings just for cancer?
MDT meetings are used in a wide range of scenarios, not just for cancer care. MDT meetings are also common in dementia care, stroke recovery and other chronic conditions.
MDT meetings are generally used for:
- Cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Neurological or stroke rehabilitation
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding
- Dementia and progressive conditions
- Learning disabilities and mental health
- Rare or progressive conditions
- End-of-life fast-track pathways
Is an MDT meeting serious?
An MDT meeting is a crucial stage in the care planning process, especially when funding or long-term care is involved. It doesn’t mean something is wrong, but the decisions made can be life-changing, so being prepared and feeling supported makes all the difference.
MDT Meetings for CHC Funding
At Farley Dwek, we support families through MDT meetings as part of the NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding process.
In the context of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), the term “MDT” is used interchangeably to describe both the full assessment and the people conducting the assessment. No wonder families often feel confused by the CHC process!
For a CHC assessment, the MDT consists of two professionals. Preferably, this will be a Nurse Assessor from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and a Social Worker from the Local Authority. However, if no Social Worker is available, the MDT can be two nurses of different specialisms (e.g., a general nurse and a mental health nurse).
Although other health and social care professionals may attend the MDT meeting and provide information about the individual’s care needs, they are not part of the formal MDT which makes the recommendation to the ICB.
The MDT completes a document called the Decision Support Tool, which helps them to assess the quantity and degree of the individual’s care needs and make a recommendation as to whether they qualify for CHC funding.
Care needs are assessed across 12 domains, including behaviour, communication, mobility, nutrition, and medication, before the “primary health need test” is applied. These are the four “key characteristics” of nature, intensity, complexity and unpredictability. If the individual meets one or more of these criteria, their primary need is for healthcare, and they are eligible for CHC funding.
The CHC eligibility criteria are subjective and difficult to understand, meaning many families simply do not know what information the assessors are looking for, or how to describe their relatives’ needs in the most effective way.
At Farley Dwek, we help you prepare by:
- Reviewing care and medical records
- Identifying key areas of concern
- Highlighting evidence that supports CHC eligibility
- This preparation can be the difference between success and rejection.
Are you getting the most out of the Multi-Disciplinary Team assessment?
FAQs
After the MDT meeting, the recommendation is sent to the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) for ratification. While the ICB is responsible for making the final decision, it should, in all but exceptional circumstances, accept the recommendation of the MDT.
If CHC funding is awarded, the NHS will cover all care home fees or home care costs, including accommodation, nursing care and medical support.
If funding is denied, you’ll receive a formal outcome letter explaining the decision. You can appeal this outcome through the local resolution process and, if necessary, escalate it to an Independent Review Panel.
You should usually hear back within a few weeks of the MDT, although timelines can vary.
The MDT assessment is a crucial part of the CHC process. Securing CHC funding at this early stage can save you a lot of time, energy and expense. Having professional representation at the meeting can make a real difference to the outcome.
At Farley Dwek, our MDT Advocacy Service provides families with expert support from a qualified CHC Nurse Assessor who understands the CHC eligibility criteria and assessment process inside out.
We help ensure:
- The patient’s needs are explained clearly
- The right questions are asked
- The levels of need are assessed fairly
- The process is followed correctly
- You have an expert to support and advocate for you
Our MDT Advocacy Service is designed to give families peace of mind at a stressful time and maximise prospects of success.
Whether the person being assessed attends the MDT usually depends on their ability to understand and participate in the process. For example, a person suffering from advanced dementia is unlikely to attend. In these cases, they will usually be represented by a friend or family member.
If you are the patient, or you are acting as a representative for someone who can’t participate in the assessment themselves, we always recommend that you attend. Being present allows you to:
- Offer additional information
- Clarify misunderstandings
- Challenge assumptions about needs
- Ensure your voice is heard
Even if the meeting is held virtually (online), you should be invited to participate and share your perspective. If you weren’t told about the meeting, this may amount to an abuse of process and could be grounds for appeal.
Speak to CHC experts for MDT advocacy
At Farley Dwek, we’ve helped hundreds of families secure CHC funding, with our nurse-led team providing support through the MDT process, appeals and retrospective claims.
Contact us today to speak to our CHC team and find out how we can help.