FOI 2026/1717

I am writing to request information from your Integrated Care Board under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would be grateful if you could provide the following:

1. Equity Policy for CHC Funding

1. Does your ICB have a formal equity policy, framework, or guidance document relating specifically to equity, equality, or reducing unwarranted variation in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding decisions?
2. If yes, please provide a copy of the policy or a link to where it is publicly available.

2. Implementation and Use of the Equity Policy

1. Can you indicate where and how this equity policy has been implemented within CHC processes (e.g., eligibility assessments, decision‑making panels, resource allocation, personalised care planning, or appeals)?
2. Please describe any specific pathways, procedures, or tools used to ensure equitable CHC decision‑making.

3. Impact on Commissioned Care Packages

1. Has the equity policy influenced changes to commissioned care packages, particularly decisions where:
   • an individual’s care package has been changed from home-based care to nursing home care, or
   • funding decisions have been reviewed due to equity considerations?
2. If so, please provide any documentation, reports, or summaries covering 2025 and 2026 outlining these changes (with any necessary redactions to protect personal data).

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Does the ICB collect or review data on equity in CHC outcomes, such as demographic variation, location-based differences, or differences between home care vs. nursing home placements?
2. If available, please provide the most recent evaluation, dataset, or summary report.

I would prefer the information to be provided in electronic format. If any part of this request is unclear or would exceed the cost limit, please advise me as soon as possible so I can refine the request.

1.

a. NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (NHS GM) has a Choice and Equity policy in place which is embedded within all 10 locality CHC teams for use.

b.

**A PDF document was sent to the requester with this response.  If you require a copy of the full response, together with the attachments, please contact NHS GM’s FOI team – nhsgm.foi@nhs.net **

2.

a. The Choice & Equity policy has been implemented at the locality commissioning decision making panel

b. N/A as per above

3.

a. No, the policy has not influenced any changes to commissioned care packages

b. N/A as per above

4.

a. No, the ICB does not collate this data.

b. N/A as per above.