Supported integrated discharge case study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Learning from key stakeholders to improve discharge services: a case study of a supported integrated discharge service involving staff, patents and carers
IRAS ID
222159
Contact name
Elaine OConnell Francischetto
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background
Hospitals have experienced a rise in the number of emergency admissions of older people in recent years. There are often delays in discharging older patients due to this patient group having additional health care needs and hospital staff needing to ensure they can be discharged safely and have support from local authorities and community care. NHS England has a long term goal to move the care of older patients away from the acute and deliver community-based, multi-agency teams providing joined up, integrated services. There is a large evidence base focusing on enhanced discharge services and their impact on patients. The aim of this study is to explore how the Heartlands Hospital integrated discharge service works and understand the experiences of staff, patients and informal/formal carers involved in the service.Methods
This qualitative case study comprises of three main components, first the service will be mapped by conducting semi-structured interviews with staff involved in the service. Then semi-structured interviews will be conducted with patients and their informal/formal carers to understand their experiences of different aspects of the service. Finally, further semi-structured interviews will be conducted with staff to explore their experiences of the service. This process will allow an in depth exploration of how the service works and potential barriers, whilst also exploring what users think of the service. Results will be directly fed back to the NHS Trust and service partner organisations.Discussion
This qualitative case study will directly inform future developments of joint discharge services in the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust. This qualitative case study will also add to the evidence base data on what staff, patients and carers experiences of supported integrated discharge are.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0279
Date of REC Opinion
9 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion