What are personal health budgets?

The information in this article is taken from www.nhs.uk.

A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your health and wellbeing needs, which is planned and agreed between you (or someone who represents you), and your local NHS team. It is not new money, but it may mean spending money differently so that you can get the care that you need.

A personal health budget allows you to manage your healthcare and support such as treatments, equipment and personal care, in a way that suits you. It works in a similar way to personal budgets, which allow people to manage and pay for their social care needs.

Who can get it?

The right to have a personal health budget applies to people who are:

• adults receiving NHS continuing healthcare (NHS-funded long-term health and personal care provided outside hospital)
• children receiving NHS continuing healthcare
• people who are referred and meet the eligibility criteria of their local wheelchair service and people who are already registered with the wheelchair service when they need a new wheelchair or specialist buggy, either because of a change in clinical needs or the condition of the current chair. These people will be eligible for a personal wheelchair budget.
• people with mental health problems who are eligible for section 117 after-care as a result of being detained under certain sections of the Mental Health Act (this does not include detention under section 2 of the Act).

If you are not in a group that has a right to a personal health budget, but you are interested in receiving one, speak to your local clinical commissioning group (CCG). CCGs make the arrangements for personal health budgets and are encouraged to offer them to other patient groups. Find your local CCG.

How is a personal health budget worked out?

If you are able to have a personal health budget, then together with your NHS team you will develop a personalised care and support plan. The plan sets out your personal health and wellbeing needs, the health outcomes you want to achieve, the amount of money in the budget and how you are going to spend it.

A care co-ordinator, who will be your first point of contact in case you have any concerns, should be identified in the planning process.

Visit the peoplehub website, where people with a personal health budget and their families and carers share their experiences.

A personal health budget will not be right for everyone and it will not always be the best way to receive support. You are not allowed to spend the money on gambling, debt repayment, alcohol, tobacco, or anything illegal. Emergency care, medicines and the care you get from a GP is separate and will not need to be paid for from your budget.

Monitoring and review

Once you have a personal health budget, your NHS team will periodically review your care plan with you. You can also ask your NHS team to review and update your plan because your health needs have changed, or you feel the current plan is not working for you.

You can give up your personal health budget at any point if you wish to; you will still be able to receive care and support in another way.

Can I have a personal health budget as well as a personal budget?

Yes. If you already have a personal budget for care and support from social care services and your NHS team agrees, you can also have a personal health budget and ask for both to be paid into the same bank account.

What is the difference between a personal health budget, a personal budget, an integrated personal budget and a direct payment?

• A personal health budget is for your NHS healthcare and support needs.
• A personal budget is for your social care and support needs.
• An integrated personal budget is for both your healthcare and support needs and social care needs.
• A direct payment is one way of managing these budgets. It's when you get the money directly to buy the agreed care and support you need rather than the council arranging it for you.

What happens if I disagree with the amount I'm offered?

The discussion around your plan should include what to do if you disagree with something, or if something goes wrong. If you're not sure what to do, speak to your NHS team. If you're still not happy, you can follow the NHS complaints procedure.

What if my request for a personal health budget is turned down?

If your request for a personal health budget is turned down, you should be told why. If you wish to appeal, your local CCG should explain what to do. If you're still not happy, you can follow the NHS complaints procedure.

Managing your personal wheelchair budget

There are 4 different options for managing a personal wheelchair budget.

1. Notional personal wheelchair budget

This is where no money changes hands. The NHS purchases and provides your chair, but you can contribute to the budget with money from other sources to get a higher specification wheelchair. This was previously known as a partnership voucher.

2. Third party personal wheelchair budget

You can use your personal wheelchair budget to purchase equipment outside of the NHS. You can also contribute additional money from other sources. This was previously known as an independent voucher.

3. Traditional third party personal health budget

If you have a wheelchair as part of a wider package of care and support, an independent organisation could help you manage the budget you receive and pay for the chair.

4. Direct payment

This is where you get the money to pay for the equipment you need. This option is not usually available at the moment for personal wheelchair budgets.

Find out more about personal wheelchair budgets from NHS England.

What happens if I underspend, or overspend, my budget?

There are likely to be times when your healthcare needs change and this may affect your budget.

If you have underspent, your NHS team will discuss with you what happens to the money that is left. It may be kept for your future healthcare needs, or returned to the CCG and allocated to other budget holders.

If you have overspent, contact your NHS team as soon as possible. No-one with a personal health budget will be denied healthcare. If you feel you need additional support than is agreed in your care plan, then those arrangements should be reviewed.

You can request a review of your needs and care plan at any time. If you have spent your budget in ways that have not been agreed with your NHS team, you may be asked to repay it.