The aim of Personal Health Budgets (PHB) is to allow individuals to personalise their care in terms of what they receive, how and when it's received, within the limits of a

pre-agreed care plan and budget. Currently PHBs are only available for those intitled to Continuing Care and those entitled to aftercare under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Personal wheelchair budgets are also available from Wheelchair Services.

County Durham commissioners are currently working to develop a personalisation offer across the system to include Social Care Direct Payments and PHBs so that need can be addressed regardless of whether it is a social need or a health need.