In context
Approval rate 90% of the national average.
Of the standard NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments completed by Dorset ICB in 2025-26 Q4, 15.0% 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, Dorset found 36.8 people eligible for CHC this quarter. Adult population: 0.69M.
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 | 15.0% | 252 | 337 |
| 2025-26 Q3 | 7.4% | 212 | 262 |
| 2025-26 Q2 | 12.4% | 221 | 299 |
| 2025-26 Q1 | 15.5% | 279 | 377 |
| 2024-25 Q4 | 34.5% | 289 | 365 |
| 2024-25 Q3 | 32.0% | 317 | 404 |
| 2024-25 Q2 | 27.7% | 326 | 425 |
| 2024-25 Q1 | 34.3% | 376 | 487 |
| 2023-24 Q4 | 27.9% | 339 | 440 |
| 2023-24 Q3 | 28.8% | 353 | 452 |
| 2023-24 Q2 | 48.2% | 361 | 432 |
| 2023-24 Q1 | 36.6% | 359 | 449 |
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.
View the 12 domainsAfter a not-eligible decision
Options if the assessment finds someone not eligible
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.
See the options