Enhanced health in care homes: A case-study evaluation

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Enhanced health in care homes: A case-study evaluation

  • IRAS ID

    262720

  • Contact name

    Gemma Wilson

  • Contact email

    gemma.wilson@northumbria.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Northumbria University at Newcaste

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    The vision for older people in North Tyneside is for “people to live well, be independent, enjoy a good quality of life, and not feel isolated or lonely, whilst reducing the need for hospital admissions or admission into permanent care settings through the use of responsive integrated health and social care services.” This co-created vision with partners is echoed in the CCG commissioning intensions which outlines a range of commissioning ambitions which includes the provision of more community and home-based care, and the development of a programme to support individuals with long term conditions.

    The 'Enhanced health in care homes' programme is being run across North Tyneside, using three different care delivery models over the four localities. In order to achieve this, each care home will be supported to provide proactive healthcare interventions to nursing and residential home residents in North Tyneside. Proactive health care includes, general guidance and support, comprehensive assessment (e.g. frailty assessment), review of on-going needs (e.g. polypharmacy, falls), and co-ordination and support of personalised advanced care planning (e.g. emergency healthcare plans, preferred place of care, and DNR) with residents and relatives. Each care home is aligned to a GP practice. GPs liaise with members of the dedicated primary care team aiming to provide both reactive and proactive care. Furthermore, care homes work in conjunction with pharmacists in the undertaking of a medication review at a minimum of once every 12 months and more frequently if clinically indicated.

    This research project therefore aims to examine and evaluate the 3 models, including their impact and outcomes with a view to commissioning the most appropriate model which demonstrated VFM and quality outcomes for patients and staff. Specifically, this project aims to:
    • Map the implementation of models, and continued provision of proactive and reactive care within the care homes, and any influencing factors
    • Understand the perspectives of all stakeholders involved in the programme, including, residents, their families, care home staff, primary care team, GPs and Pharmacists, and if this differs over models
    • Assess changes to hospital admission, patient reported outcomes and prescribing over the models
    • Explore and map the preparation, scope and evolution of Nurse Practitioners as the key role within this initiative
    • To determine and compare the cost-effectiveness of each model

  • REC name

    Social Care REC

  • REC reference

    19/IEC08/0023

  • Date of REC Opinion

    30 Sep 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion