Funded Nursing Care (FNC) to increase by 7.7% to £254.06 per week
If you or a loved one is receiving Funded Nursing Care (FNC), there’s some news you should be aware of. FNC rates are increasing by 7.7% from April 2025. But what does this actually mean for nursing home residents? Will it reduce care costs for individuals, or will care providers absorb the difference? In this article, we break down the FNC increase, explain how Funded Nursing Care works, and help you understand whether this change will impact you or your family.
To discuss FNC increases, call us on 0113 320 5000
What Does the FNC Increase Entail?
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that Funded Nursing Care (FNC) will increase by 7.7% this year, taking the standard weekly rate per person from £235.88 to £254.06. The higher rate, which is only paid in relation to patients who moved into a nursing home before 1 October 2007, increases from £324.50 to £349.50.
The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and Funded Nursing Care defines what FNC is:
NHS funded Nursing Care is the funding provided by the NHS to care homes with nursing, to support the provision of nursing care by a registered nurse for those assessed as eligible for NHS-funded Nursing Care. Section 22 of the Care Act 2014 prohibits local authorities from providing, or arranging for the provision of, nursing care by a registered nurse, save in the very limited circumstances set out in Section 22(4).
Therefore, the NHS will pay FNC to a nursing home where care is being provided by a registered nurse. It should not be confused with NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC), which is the name given NHS funding which covers 100% of the care costs of individuals who the Integrated Care Board (ICB) has assessed has having a Primary Health Need.
What Does the Increase Actually Mean and Who Will Benefit From It?
Our Continuing Healthcare solicitor, James Urquhart-Burton says:
“The increase to FNC is larger than in previous years, and is generally welcome news, as it will alleviate at least a little of the financial pressures on care providers, in the climate of a care system which is in crisis.”
“FNC is payable by the NHS to nursing homes, and who benefits from that saving will come down to the agreement the patient has with the nursing home about their care costs. It’s a matter for the nursing home to set the fee it charges the patient. That fee will be stipulated in the care service contract, and it will usually include both accommodation and care, though this is rarely broken down separately.”
“The National Framework for Continuing Healthcare says that the NHS will pay FNC direct to the care home, and the balance of the fee will be paid by the individual, their representative, or the local authority, unless other contracting arrangements have been agreed.”
“In practice, whether the nursing home retains the FNC or passes it on to the resident will depend on whether the care charges in the contract was stated to include FNC in the first place.”
“If the contract was signed some time ago, it’s important to check what it says, and query it if it’s unclear. If you’re about to sign a nursing home care contract for a new admission, make sure you understand what the nursing home has proposed with regards to FNC and ask any questions [LINK - Common questions | Winston Solicitors] you need to in advance of signing.”
In any case, the increases (which take effect from 1 April 2025) are welcome news, but they will not solve the significant financial pressures which impact the entire social care and nursing sector, which has long called for more radical reform. In the meantime, making sure that your eligibility for CHC has been properly assessed, and if it has, that FNC is properly accounted for is a very good place to start.
If you’re wanting to claim back care home fees, or you’re unsure if you can claim NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding, try our calculators. You can also contact our CHC specialist, James Urquhart-Burton, for a free initial consultation.
Because when it comes to securing the funding your loved one deserves, knowledge truly is power.
Talk to Us About FNC Increases
If you feel that you or someone you know will be affected by the FNC increases, contact our CHC funding expert, James Urquhart-Burton to arrange a consultation. You can reach us on 0113 320 5000, or email @email to discuss how we can support you while you navigate this process.
