Personal Health Budget Quality Framework

On 24th February 2023, NHS England published their Personal Health Budget (PHB) Quality Framework. The Quality Framework supports Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to create the conditions to meet PHB performance expectations in line with the NHS’ Long-Term Plan.

The NHS Long-Term Plan was created to make the NHS fit for the future and has three broad aims:

• Ensuring that everyone gets the best start in life.
• Delivering world-class health care for major health issues.
• Supporting people to age well.

To achieve this, the NHS is committed to giving people more choice and control over their health and the care they receive – a key part of this being PHBs, of which there is a national commitment to deliver on the expectation for 200,000 people to be in receipt of a PHB by 2023/24.

The Quality Framework aims to achieve several goals including:

• Delivering high-quality care, 
• Improving the experience of PHB holders, 
• Realising the life-changing outcomes that PHBs can have.

PHBs can be managed in three ways: via a Notional Budget, where money is held by the NHS and services are commissioned by the NHS; a Third-Party Budget, where an independent organisation manages the PHB and is responsible for ensuring the right care is in place for the PHB holder; and a Direct Payment Budget, where a PHB holder receives payments to allow them to purchase services. We can assist with both the Third Party and Direct Payment budgets here at Solo Support Services.

Here at Solo Support Services, we pride ourselves on being a person-centred, ethical and professional domiciliary care company. We provide a range of services that put our clients at the heart of what we do, with each package of care bespoke to each client’s preferences to ensure their experience of holding a PHB remains as positive as possible. We support clients with a Third-Party Budget or a Direct Payment Budget to achieve high quality, personalised care to meet their individual needs.

Clients have either a dedicated Client Relations Manager or Service Administrator, depending on which service stream they choose. Our Client Relations Managers and Service Administrators provide our clients with personalised support and act as their point of contact for all issues relating to their care and support.

Finally, we take pride in helping our clients and realising the life-changing outcomes that PHBs can have in providing a better quality of life. You can read more about how we have helped our clients on our stories page.