Registered Nurse Care Contribution (RNCC)

In July 2000 the NHS accepted that registered nursing care should be free of charge to the recipient in all settings.

Following this, the Health and Social Care Act, Section 49, removed Local Authorities’ responsibilities for providing nursing care by a registered nurse.

Put simply, an assessment will be carried out by a NHS nurse who will decide which level of contribution best fits each patient. The Registered Nursing Care Contribution relevant to you will be paid directly to your care home.

The three bands of nursing care each correspond to a level of funding:

High Band - People with high needs for registered nursing care will have complex needs that require frequent mechanical, technical and/or therapeutic interventions. They will need frequent intervention and re-assessment by a registered nurse throughout a 24-hour period. Their physical/mental health will be unstable or unpredictable.

Medium Band - These people may have multiple care needs. They will require intervention by a registered nurse on a daily basis and may need access to a nurse at any time. However, their condition is stable and predictable and likely to remain so if the treatment and care regimes continue.

Low Band - This band will apply to people whose care needs can be met with minimal registered nurse input. Assessment would indicate that their needs could normally be met in another setting, such as at home or in residential care with support from a district nurse, but they have chosen to place themselves in a nursing home.

However, from 1st October 2007 the rules changed. The three bands have now been replaced with just one amount. This was introduced by The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care.

From 1st October 2007 a single band was introduced for NHS-funded Nursing Care, currently £106.30 per week, in England. People who, prior to 1st October 2007, were receiving the low and medium payments were moved onto the new standard weekly payment. Any resident who was receiving the high band funding, currently £146.30 per week, continued to receive this higher level of payment until their case was fully reviewed in line with the National Framework. If their needs were still such that they would have been granted the higher payment then this would continue. If their needs were such that they would have received the medium or lower payment then they would move onto the new standard rate. If they were assessed as eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare then NHS-funded Nursing Care payments would cease.

So, in Wales, a flat rate of £119.66 per week is payable, in Scotland the figure is £69 per week and England a flat rate of £106.30 per week. Northern Ireland nursing care recipients receive a flat £100 per week. In addition, Scotland pays a further £153 per week towards Personal care.

Will the NHS pay the Full Cost of Care in any situation?

Each Primary Care Trust (PCT) has to produce its eligibility criteria for continuing NHS care. If you have a continuing need for NHS care, your care home fees could be fully funded by the NHS.

Any complaints regarding the nursing care paid for or provided by the NHS can be made using the NHS complaints procedure via the care home, the Primary Care Trust or Health Authority.

Click here for more information about the Attendance Allowance.