Background: The disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on nursing home residents worldwide, around 70% of which are older women, has highlighted the need for clear, consistent guidance on the management of pandemics in such settings.

Aims: To identify and synthesize the aims, recommendations, implementation, and outcomes of published guidance related to nursing homes, residents and staff, in England, published during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: Scoping review of publicly available policy documents, guidance and recommendations related to COVID-19 in nursing homes in England, identified using systematic searches of government websites. The aims, main recommendations, implementation and intended outcomes reported in included documents were extracted and synthesised using thematic analysis.

Results: Thirty-three policy documents were identified. Six themes of recommendations emerged; infection prevention and control, hospital discharge, testing and vaccination, staffing, visitation and continuing routine care. In addition, seven areas of implementation were identified; funding, collaborative working, monitoring and data collection, reducing workload, decision making and leadership, training and enhancing technology and communication.

Discussion: Government policy on COVID-19 in nursing homes focused on reducing transmission and protecting residents and staff, however further research is needed to explore the extent to which these recommendations were implemented in practice.