Can relatives/representatives be invited to attend Nursing-care / NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments?
Answer Yes, where appropriate and with the permission of the person being assessed (where the person lacks capacity to consent then a best interests decision will have to be made whether or not to invite them – ref. Mental Capacity Act). It may help the family/carer/representative understand the process, and decision, if they were engaged in the assessment. The NHS-funded Nursing Care Practice Guide includes ” 29. This assessment of registered nursing needs should help the individual, their carer and/or representative understand the extent and nature of the nursing care needed to meet their care needs and find the most appropriate environment in which to meet those needs.” The National Framework states that assessment, and consideration of eligibility for, and delivery of, NHS Continuing Health Care and NHS Funded Nursing Care should be organised so that the person who is undergoing an assessment and their family and/or carers understand the process and receive advice and information t
