The rate paid to care homes for NHS funded nursing care (FNC) is to rise by 5% in 2023/24.

The standard weekly rate per person for FNC will increase to £219.71 from £209.19 from 1 April 2023.

For the higher rate, the FNC will rise from £287.78 to £302.25 allowing care home residents with specific healthcare needs to benefit from direct nursing care and services.

Registered nurses provide support to people eligible for NHS funded nursing care with a variety of needs, including people with learning disabilities, those living with enduring physical or mental health needs and various conditions associated with old age. This type of nursing requires a range of skills and training, with the extra funding supporting this important role.

The funded nursing care rate helps cover the costs of nursing care and reduces the pressure on hospitals.

The government is making available up to £7.5 billion in additional funding over two years to support adult social care and discharge – with up to £2.8 billion available in 2023/24 and up to £4.7 billion in 2024/25.

Responding to the announcement, Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said: “This increase does not take account of the significant increases in costs that we have seen from both general inflation and also staff costs, and it is totally inadequate and unjustifiable.”