Personal Health Budgets

What is a Personal Health Budget?

A Personal Health Budget (PHB) is a pot of money allocated to an individual or their family to help them manage their own health and care needs. This money is provided by the NHS and is based on an individual's assessed needs and preferences. PHBs are tailored to an individual's specific health and care needs, enabling people to have more control over their care.

PHBs can be used to purchase a variety of services, from traditional NHS care such as GP or hospital appointments, to alternative services such as counselling, complementary therapies, and community activities. The money can also be used to purchase equipment to help with daily living, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids and continence products.

The budget can be managed in a variety of ways depending on the individual’s needs. This might include, direct payments, managed accounts, or a combination of both. With a managed account, a third-party organisation is appointed to manage the budget on behalf of the individual. The aim of PHBs is to give individuals greater choice and control over their care, as well as helping them to become more independent.