NHS continuing healthcare in Dorset
The NHS in Dorset approved 38 of 325 full assessments for continuing healthcare from July 2025 to June 2026: 11.7%. Across England the figure was 17.7%. That is the 8th lowest approval rate of England's 36 NHS areas.
Standard assessments only (not fast track), July 2025 to June 2026.
If your relative was turned down in Dorset
- Check the deadline. Most NHS areas give you 6 months from the date on the decision letter. Work out your date.
- Ask for the full file: the completed assessment form (the Decision Support Tool), the reasons for the decision, and the care records it relied on.
- Check the scores against the national threshold with our free score checker.
- Write to the NHS area asking for a review, area of care by area of care, with dated evidence. Our appeal guide and letter template show how.
The decision letter from the NHS in Dorset should give the address for appeals. If you cannot find it, ask the continuing healthcare team at the NHS area (the integrated care board).
Join the waiting list for a free review
The trend in Dorset
| Year (April to March) | Assessed | Approved | Rate | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 to 2019 | 498 | 108 | 21.7% | 24.9% |
| 2019 to 2020 | 744 | 137 | 18.4% | 23.9% |
| 2020 to 2021 | 384 | 55 | 14.3% | 25.5% |
| 2021 to 2022 | 565 | 155 | 27.4% | 23.4% |
| 2022 to 2023 | 417 | 161 | 38.6% | 22.3% |
| 2023 to 2024 | 558 | 197 | 35.3% | 21.1% |
| 2024 to 2025 | 550 | 177 | 32.2% | 19.5% |
| 2025 to 2026 | 359 | 48 | 13.4% | 17.4% |
2020 to 2021 was affected by the pandemic, when assessments were paused for a time. NHS England maps figures for older NHS bodies onto today's areas.
Free help
Beacon gives up to 90 minutes of free advice, funded by NHS England. The Alzheimer's Society runs a volunteer appeals support service.
Source
- NHS England: NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care statistics, integrated care board level.