2025-26 Q4 · Rank 23rd of 42
Black Country ICB.
Approves CHC at 85% of the national average in the latest quarter.
Approval rate
14.2%
standard assessments
Vs national
85%
National 16.7%
Rank
23/42
48th percentile
YoY trend
-62.0pp
vs 2024-25 Q4
In context
Approval rate 85% of the national average.
Of the standard NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments completed by Black Country ICB in 2025-26 Q4, 14.2% were judged eligible. The national figure across all 42 ICBs was 16.7%.
Highest approval rate among the 42 ICBs: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough at 35.4%. Lowest: Gloucestershire at 2.3%.
Per 50,000 adult residents, Black Country found 31.0 people eligible for CHC this quarter. Adult population: 1.04M.
Variation between ICBs has several legitimate explanations including differences in age profile, deprivation, and comorbidity. See methodology for what raw rates can and cannot tell you.
Trend
Approval rate over time
| Quarter | Approval rate | Eligible | Total assessments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Q4 | 14.2% | 683 | 876 |
| 2025-26 Q3 | 67.7% | 1067 | 1241 |
| 2025-26 Q2 | 25.5% | 689 | 806 |
| 2025-26 Q1 | 13.0% | 620 | 761 |
| 2024-25 Q4 | 76.2% | 1068 | 1184 |
| 2024-25 Q3 | 13.8% | 671 | 834 |
| 2024-25 Q2 | 14.6% | 623 | 822 |
| 2024-25 Q1 | 23.7% | 628 | 812 |
| 2023-24 Q4 | 19.5% | 600 | 777 |
| 2023-24 Q3 | 18.0% | 471 | 639 |
| 2023-24 Q2 | 24.7% | 454 | 640 |
| 2023-24 Q1 | 31.1% | 465 | 607 |
Eligibility criteria
The 12 Decision Support Tool domains
Reference page covering the twelve clinical domains used in the formal assessment, the level scale within each, and how the National Framework weighs them.
After a no
Options when refused
Reference page on the appeal route, self-funding from savings and property, and equity release as alternatives. Includes pointer to Beacon CHC, the NHS-funded free advice service.