Evaluation of the Better Access, Better Care, Better Lives project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the Better Access, Better Care, Better Lives project: Improving patient access and complex care management in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge
IRAS ID
161940
Contact name
Martin Bardsley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Understanding access and use of healthcare services is an important area of research to capture patients experience of care and to plan for future service demand. This study aims to provide an evaluation of two new schemes in Barking, Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering; the first changing the way patients access health services (Improved Access Scheme), and the second, changing the management of patients with complex health needs (Complex Care Management Scheme). Qualitative (descriptive) and quantitative (numerical) data collection as well as database analysis will take place to assess patient experience, service use, patient outcomes and the cost of the schemes. The safety and implementation of the schemes themselves is being managed by a clinical oversight group.
Assessment of the Improving Access scheme will involve interviews and focus groups with patients about their experiences using local healthcare services. Those who use the scheme as well as those who choose not to will be eligible to participate. Staff members will also be interviewed about the new scheme and will be invited to participate in an online survey once the scheme is established. Primary care and hospital data (anonymous) will be analysed to look at impact of the schemes introduction on service use.
To assess the Complex Care Management scheme, patients and staff will take part in semi-structured interviews and staff will also take part in an online survey. Local primary care, hospital and mortality records (ONS) data will be analysed to evaluate patient outcomes.
Barking, Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering Clinical Commissioning Groups funded this research. As an independent evaluation, this research will determine if the schemes offer a solution to local problems of healthcare access and use, and whether potentially they could be recommended for use more widely.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
14/NS/1082
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion