Enhanced Health in Care Homes: A guide for care homes

4th edition – January 2024

The NHS Long Term Plan contained a commitment to roll out the Framework for Enhanced Health in Care Homes across England between 2020 and 2024. 

This document explains what the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) programme is, how to make it work in the best way possible for people living in care homes and the people who care for them, and what everyone involved can expect from it. We hope it reassures you that being actively involved in the EHCH programme should not require a significant change to the way you work, instead, you should see increased support into the home from health and care services.

This guide is intended for Registered Managers of care homes and care home staff in England but may be of interest to a wider group, including health care professionals.

With thanks to the Enhanced Health in Care Homes policy team at NHS England for their advice on the content.

This guide was originally published in January 2021. It was reviewed and updated in August 2021 and October 2021. It was updated following publication of the updated Enhanced Health in Care Homes framework (November 2023).

Download EHCH: a guide for care home managers – January 2024