What is the Fast Track Continuing Healthcare Assessment?
When someone is approaching the end of their life, there’s often an urgent need to put care in place, without delay or bureaucracy.
Designed to speed up the NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) process, the Fast Track Continuing Healthcare assessment pathway enables eligible individuals to receive fully-funded care quickly and efficiently, without going through a full assessment first. This means that health and social care professionals can implement the right package of care and support immediately, whether at home, in a hospice or in a care home setting.
The Fast Track assessment uses a specific document called the Fast Track Pathway Tool, which is completed by an appropriate clinician. Its purpose is to confirm that the individual has a rapidly deteriorating condition and is entering a terminal phase. If the criteria are met, the NHS is obliged to provide Continuing Healthcare funding, and to implement the package within 48-hours.
Who Can Complete the Fast Track Pathway Tool?
The Fast Track Pathway Tool must be completed by an “appropriate clinician” i.e. a consultant, GP, registered nurse, or another healthcare professional who is directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment or care of the patient.
The appropriate clinician is responsible for confirming that the individual’s condition is rapidly deteriorating and that they are likely to be entering the terminal phase of life. Based on their clinical judgment, they will complete the Fast Track Pathway Tool, which should then be submitted directly to the local Integrated Care Board (ICB).
So, who qualifies for Continuing Healthcare Fast Track funding?
Eligibility is not based on a specific condition, but rather on the person’s care needs. The key factor is that they are entering a terminal phase and need urgent care. This includes individuals with terminal cancer, advanced dementia, late-stage neurological conditions, or those recovering from a stroke with significant complications. The purpose is to ensure compassionate, dignified care, without the usual delays involved in NHS continuing healthcare assessments.
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We will be able to give you an honest assessment of whether we believe you may be eligible for Free NHS funding.
When Should the Fast Track Pathway Tool Be Used?
The Continuing Healthcare Fast Track tool should be used when a patient is approaching the end of life and needs an immediate care package in place. This might occur following a hospital stay or when end of life medications are needed, when a health and social care professional recognises that the person’s condition is significantly – and rapidly – worsening.
In these situations, the Fast Track Pathway bypasses the standard Checklist and Decision Support Tool (DST), enabling funding to be granted based on the clinician’s assessment alone. There is no requirement for a full assessment, which is usually more time-consuming and involves a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Examples of when Fast Track funding may be appropriate include:
- A hospice patient requiring 24/7 registered nursing care
- A care home resident with escalating symptoms and high levels of pain
- A patient discharged from hospital after a significant health event whose health is rapidly deteriorating
- Individuals with terminal conditions who wish to die at home, but need funding in place to support this
In each of these examples, the priority is to ensure that funding is not a barrier to providing appropriate, timely care.
How Long is the Fast Track Process for Continuing Healthcare?
The Fast Track Continuing Healthcare funding assessment is designed to be fast – hence the name. Once the Fast Track Pathway Tool is completed by the clinician, the expectation is that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) will process it immediately, and care funding should be in place within hours or days, not weeks (the National Framework recommends Fast Track CHC should be implemented within 48-hours of referral).
This means care can start without delay, giving patients and families peace of mind and allowing for urgent needs to be met with dignity and compassion. The National Framework makes clear that delays are not acceptable, and funding should not be withheld once eligibility via the Fast Track has been confirmed.
How long will Fast Track funding last?
It’s important to understand that Fast Track Continuing Healthcare funding is not always permanent. It’s intended for people with rapidly changing conditions, often in the final stages of life.
The ICB will review the case within 3 months to ensure the criteria are still met. If the person’s condition stabilises or improves, the ICB may decide to withdraw funding and recommend a full assessment instead. However, funding should not be removed without a reassessment using the Decision Support Tool, and the decision should always reflect the individual’s current needs. In some cases, the individual may no longer meet the fast track criteria, but may still qualify for CHC funding for other reasons.
Families may find it helpful to keep care notes, medication changes, and other records up to date, in case a review leads to changes in funding.
How Farley Dwek Can Help
At Farley Dwek, we’ve helped hundreds of families navigate the complexities of NHS Continuing Healthcare, including the Fast Track pathway. We understand how emotionally difficult this time can be, and how vital it is to get funding in place quickly.
Our team includes qualified nurses and experienced case managers who can guide you through every stage. We can help you in:
- Understanding the Fast Track process
- Challenging a refusal from the ICB
- Preparing for a review once funding is in place
- Or pursuing a full CHC assessment if funding is withdrawn
If you believe your loved one is eligible for Fast Track continuing healthcare, visit our Fast Track Tool or read our Fast Track Success Story for a real-life example of how we’ve made a difference.
Need advice today? Call us on 0161 272 5222 or download our free guide to CHC funding.