EC4H is a national and international communication network to provide assurance for standards of clinical communication teaching. From 2002 to 2025, it was hosted by NHS Lothian, it is now run as a separate entity, under Cutting Edge Psychology Ltd. The terms and conditions of the licence arrangement and support remain the same; the focus is on improving clinical communication. Licences are granted to NHS Boards or organisations to deliver EC4H approved courses in their organisation/ area by training local staff as tutors. EC4H is now able to offer a number of additional programmes led by the Lead Tutors who are trained as psychologists
The EC4H courses are high quality and evidence-based, suitable for consultants, GPs, senior managers, doctors in training, other medical staff, nurses, allied health professionals and staff working in social care services.
EC4H will:
- Issue an annually renewable licence to NHS Boards and other organisations with one or more groups of tutors who are members of the EC4H Programme.
- Retain copyright and intellectual property rights for all EC4H materials in print and online including the EC4H logo and website.
- Maintain an online register via the EC4H website of all accredited lead tutors and tutors.
- Provide tutor training via workshops, tutor training manuals and online resources exclusively for EC4H tutors; support the organisation of supervised teaching practice for trainee tutors.
- Provide a professional development programme for all EC4H accredited tutors to promote collaboration, course development, and continuing peer support/ learning.
- Maintain and develop the EC4H Programme website and a linked, secure website for workshop delivery.
- Provide EC4H workshop books for participants that tutors can use in running EC4H communication workshops.
- Develop and provide other workshop books suitable for workshops on specific communication topics.
- Review and update EC4H course materials and resources on a regular basis
- Provide a secure tutors’ resource section on the website to support local teaching programmes.
- Set up a customised webpage for all participating Boards/organizations to allow them to promote the workshops being delivered in their area
- Provide online resources for participants including, pre-course and post-course evaluations, an interactive online forum and course materials