NHS England revises "Who Pays" guidance for s117 patients

NHS England has now revised its guidance on establishing the responsible commissioner for those entitled to s117 services in an attempt to avoid CCGs "passing the parcel" to another, seen as a factor inhibiting discharge.   The new guidance amends paragraphs 33 and 34 in "Who Pays" for those discharged after 31 March 2016.  Crucially if a patient is resident in CCG A but is discharged to CCG B after 31 March 2016, CCG B must work with CCG A, but it is CCG A who retains responsibility to pay for the patients' aftercare along with the local authority.  This aligns the process for establishing the relevant CCG more closely with the process for establishing the relevant local authority and may help in providing continuity of care.