A Personal Health Budget (PHB) is an amount of money allocated to support someone’s health and wellbeing needs, which is planned and agreed upon between the individual or their representative, and their local NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB). It isn’t new money, but a different way of spending existing NHS funding to meet the needs of an individual. At the centre of a PHB is the support plan.

A PHB allows you to manage your healthcare and support such as treatments, equipment and personal care, in a way that suits you. It works in a similar way to personal budgets, which allow people to manage and pay for their social care needs.

A PHB will allow an individual to purchase services, support, activities, and some types of equipment to achieve the health and wellbeing outcomes agreed with their local ICB.

There are some restrictions in how the budget can be spent and having a PHB does not entitle someone to more services, more expensive services, or preferential access to NHS services.

Who can receive a Personal Health Budget?

The right to have a PHB applies to people who are:

  • adults receiving NHS continuing healthcare (NHS-funded long-term health and personal care provided outside hospital);
  • children receiving NHS continuing healthcare;
  • people who are referred and meet the eligibility criteria of their local wheelchair service and people who are already registered with the wheelchair service when they need a new wheelchair or specialist buggy (either because of a change in clinical needs or the condition of the current chair- these people will be eligible for a personal wheelchair budget);
  • people with mental health problems who are eligible for section 117 after-care as a result of being detained under certain sections of the Mental Health Act (this does not include detention under section 2 of the Act).

Click here to access an easy-read version.

Latest News, Stories & Events

South East London leads national conversation on osteoporosis care

Members of the South East London (SEL) Osteoporosis Treatment Pathway Task and Finish Group (a multidisciplinary group under the South East London Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee) proudly represented the South East London Integrated Care System at the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Osteoporosis and Bone Health at Parliament (Portcullis House) on Wednesday 3rd December […]

02 Jan 2026
Putting neighbourhood health into practice; a simulation

PPL is a consultancy working with the NHS on planning and implementing neighbourhood working. They have published a report that captures learning from the first ‘national neighbourhood health simulation’, which NHS Providers supported at the 2025 NHS Providers Conference and Exhibition. The findings highlight what helps neighbourhood models work effectively in practice, the challenges identified […]

02 Jan 2026
Amber cold health alert for London

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you're 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.

31 Dec 2025