Service Users
A Personal Health Budget (PHB) is an amount of money to support the identified healthcare and wellbeing needs of an individual, which is planned and agreed between the individual, or their representative, and the local ICB (Integrated Care Board). It isn’t new money, but a different way of spending health funding to meet the needs of an individual (definition by NHS England).
Personal Health Budgets give people with long term health conditions and disabilities more choice, flexibility and control over the money spent on meeting their health and wellbeing needs. There have been many studies that have shown that people’s wellbeing and quality of life have improved when they have the opportunity to manage their own budget.
Direct payment – The personal health budget holder or their representative has the money in a bank account and takes responsibility for purchasing the agreed care and support. Budget holders must show what the money has been spent on
Notional – No money changes hands. The personal health budget holder knows how much money is available for their assessed needs and decides together with the NHS team how to spend that money. The NHS is then responsible for holding the money and arranging the agreed care and support.
Third Party – An organisation independent of both the person and the NHS commissioner (for example an independent user trust or a voluntary organisation) is responsible for and holds the money on the person’s behalf. They then work in partnership with the person and their family to ensure the care they arrange and pay for with the budget meets the agreed outcomes in the care plan.
The PHBSS will allow the person with a Personal Health Budget (or their representative) to be at the heart of developing their care and support. It will give them access to a range of services which provide information, advice, guidance and support to enable them to select the appropriate option to manage their PHB.
The PHBSS advocacy service also supports people with understanding their rights, speaking up for themselves (or on their behalf) and in helping them to make informed choices. They are independent and will act under the instruction of the client. For more information, please see the Sefton Advocacy website here
The PHBSS supports people across Sefton and Liverpool and we can visit you in whichever location is most convenient.
Please be aware that any decisions regarding eligibility for a Personal Health Budget are made by the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB). If you think that you, or someone that you care for, may be eligible for Continuing Health Care funding you can discuss having a Personal Health Budget with the NHS professional overseeing your health and wellbeing.
If you would like any more information about the range of services we provide then please contact us on 0151 288 6060, via our email: phb@sefton.gov.uk or through the contact form below