Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme

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An NHS England framework to improve healthcare services for care home residents through structured collaboration between health, social care and care providers.

What is the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme?

What is ?

The Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme is a key NHS England initiative that provides a structured approach to delivering proactive, joined-up medical care to people living in care homes. Launched as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, it brings together healthcare professionals, social care teams, and care home staff to deliver enhanced primary care and community services. The programme aims to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, improve residents' quality of life and health outcomes, and enhance end-of-life care through better integration of services and regular clinical support.

Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme Best Practices

What is ?

  • Establish multidisciplinary teams with clear roles for GPs, pharmacists, community nurses, and care home staff
  • Implement structured medication reviews by clinical pharmacists at least annually
  • Develop personalised care plans for all residents with regular reviews
  • Create robust data-sharing protocols between healthcare providers and care homes
  • Provide training and upskilling opportunities for care home staff

Use Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme in a Sentence

What is ?

  1. The Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme has significantly reduced emergency hospital admissions from participating care homes.
  2. Our Primary Care Network has dedicated clinical leads who coordinate the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme across our local facilities.
  3. Care home residents have reported improved quality of life since the implementation of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme.
Frequently Asked Questions about
Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme

What does Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme mean?

The Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme is an NHS England initiative that provides a framework for delivering integrated health and care services to people living in care homes. It brings together NHS organisations, local authorities, and care providers to offer proactive, coordinated healthcare with the aims of improving residents' health outcomes, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, and enhancing quality of life.

How does the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme benefit care home residents?

Care home residents benefit from the EHCH Programme through improved access to primary care services, regular clinical reviews, structured medication management, better end-of-life care planning, and enhanced preventative healthcare. These coordinated interventions lead to fewer emergency hospital admissions, reduced medication errors, timely identification of deteriorating health, and ultimately improved quality of life and wellbeing for residents.

What are the core components of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme?

The EHCH Programme consists of seven core components: enhanced primary care support, multidisciplinary team support, falls prevention initiatives, medicine reviews, hydration and nutrition support, dementia care, and end-of-life care. Each component involves collaborative working between healthcare professionals, social care teams, and care home staff to deliver holistic, person-centred care that meets residents' needs.

How do Primary Care Networks implement the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme?

Primary Care Networks implement the EHCH Programme by assigning a clinical lead to coordinate care, aligning care homes with specific GP practices, establishing regular multidisciplinary team meetings, conducting structured medication reviews, providing telehealth support, and ensuring weekly 'check-ins' with care homes. PCNs also work with community services to create integrated care pathways and develop personalised care plans for residents.

What funding and resources are available for the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) Programme?

Funding for the EHCH Programme comes through the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES), which allocates resources specifically for care home support. Primary Care Networks receive approximately £120 per care home bed annually to deliver the service requirements. Additional resources include clinical pharmacist time, community service integration, and NHS England implementation support, including toolkits, guidance documents, and training materials to help PCNs deliver effective care.

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