The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care sets out in paragraph 185 that, where an individual is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), the integrated care board (ICB) is responsible for care planning, commissioning services, and case management. The ICB is responsible for planning strategically, specifying outcomes, procuring services, and managing demand and provider performance in relation to CHC. The services commissioned must include ongoing case management, including review or reassessment of the individual’s needs.

NHS England holds ICBs accountable, and engages with them to ensure that they discharge their functions via timely and well-established assurance mechanisms. The national framework also sets out that those in receipt of CHC continue to be entitled to access to the full range of primary, community, secondary, and other health services.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Since 2018 the NIHR has funded 10 research projects on sepsis in children with a combined total funding value of over £14 million.

In 2022-23, £291.7 million of the Better Care Fund is earmarked to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support. This year, for the first time, local partnerships have had to set out how funding is being used to support unpaid carers in their Better Care Fund plans. These plans are currently being assured and moderated.

We are committed to supporting unpaid carers to balance their caring alongside work, and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing. On Friday 21 October, the Government confirmed its support for the hon. Member for North East Fife’s Private Members’ Bill which would introduce a new entitlement to one week of Carer’s Leave for all employees who are providing care for a dependant with a long-term care need.

The Government has taken significant steps to provide financial support for public services during COVID-19, including making £3.2 billion available to local authorities so they can address pressures on local services caused by the pandemic, including in adult social care.

Furthermore, on 15 May we published details of an additional £600 million Infection Control Fund for Adult Social Care to support adult social care providers in England reduce the rate of transmission in and between care homes and to support workforce resilience. The government will continue to monitor pressures in the National Health Service and local government and will keep future funding under review.