scholarly journals Provision of NHS generalist and specialist services to care homes in England: review of surveys

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (02) ◽  
pp. 122-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Iliffe ◽  
Susan L. Davies ◽  
Adam L. Gordon ◽  
Justine Schneider ◽  
Tom Dening ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe number of beds in care homes (with and without nurses) in the United Kingdom is three times greater than the number of beds in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. Care homes are predominantly owned by a range of commercial, not-for-profit or charitable providers and their residents have high levels of disability, frailty and co-morbidity. NHS support for care home residents is very variable, and it is unclear what models of clinical support work and are cost-effective.ObjectivesTo critically evaluate how the NHS works with care homes.MethodsA review of surveys of NHS services provided to care homes that had been completed since 2008. It included published national surveys, local surveys commissioned by Primary Care organisations, studies from charities and academic centres, grey literature identified across the nine government regions, and information from care home, primary care and other research networks. Data extraction captured forms of NHS service provision for care homes in England in terms of frequency, location, focus and purpose.ResultsFive surveys focused primarily on general practitioner services, and 10 on specialist services to care home. Working relationships between the NHS and care homes lack structure and purpose and have generally evolved locally. There are wide variations in provision of both generalist and specialist healthcare services to care homes. Larger care home chains may take a systematic approach to both organising access to NHS generalist and specialist services, and to supplementing gaps with in-house provision. Access to dental care for care home residents appears to be particularly deficient.ConclusionsHistorical differences in innovation and provision of NHS services, the complexities of collaborating across different sectors (private and public, health and social care, general and mental health), and variable levels of organisation of care homes, all lead to persistent and embedded inequity in the distribution of NHS resources to this population. Clinical commissioners seeking to improve the quality of care of care home residents need to consider how best to provide fair access to health care for older people living in a care home, and to establish a specification for service delivery to this vulnerable population.

2021 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Zena Aldridge ◽  
◽  
Karen Harrison Dening ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  

The United Kingdom’s (UK) older population is higher than the global average. Over the next 20 years, England will see an increase in the number of older people who have higher levels of dependency, dementia, and comorbidity many of whom may require 24-hour care. Currently it is estimated that 70% of residents in nursing and residential care homes either have dementia on admission or develop it whilst residing in the care home. The provision of high-quality care for this population is a challenge with a lack of consistency in the provision of primary care and specialist services and a known gap in knowledge and skills. The NHS Long Term Plan aims to move care closer to home and improve out of hospital care which includes people who live in care homes by introducing Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH). However, such services need to be equipped with the correct skill mix to meet the needs of the care home population. Admiral Nurses are specialists in dementia care and are well placed to support the delivery of EHCH and improve access to specialist support to care home residents, their families, care home staff and the wider health and social care system. This paper discusses current gaps in service provision and how both the EHCH framework, and the inclusion of Admiral Nurses, might redress these and improve outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i1-i6
Author(s):  
N H Chadborn ◽  
A L Gordon ◽  
R Devi ◽  
C Williams ◽  
C Goodman ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Many care home residents have high levels of complex needs and their medical care is the responsibility of the general practitioner (GP) in UK. GPs have multiple roles, including gatekeeper for access to other healthcare services and often play a leadership role in the healthcare team. Our aim is to develop realist programme theories for how GPs interact with care homes to facilitate improvements in care of residents. Method Using realist review we aimed to describe “what works” for GPs to be involved in improvements in care of residents. Firstly we carried out a scoping review of UK literature and interviewed GP leaders in order to build programme theory. Secondly iterative literature searches were performed in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, ASSIA, Scopus and many grey literature databases. This international literature is being used to test and refine programme theories and to explore the range of contexts. Results A scoping search identified a small number (n = 5) of recent UK articles (2010–19) that described GP input into quality improvement. To gain insight into context, observational studies (n = 4 in UK and Ireland) were identified which described concerns about workload and resource constraints. To develop initial programme theories, we conducted interviews with 6 GP leaders, where themes of risk and specialism were identified. We are developing the following mechanisms within programme theory: where GP profession have an ownership of the agenda, this encourages GP involvement. In other initiatives, the mechanism may be a trusting relationship between GP and another practitioner, eg pharmacist. Conclusion Many reported projects which aim to improve care quality in care homes do not describe how the initiative relates to GP practice. We have identified mechanisms which, when present, may cause GPs to contribute leadership and medical expertise, and thus lead to successful outcomes for residents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Karen Harrison Dening ◽  
Zena Aldridge

Background The UK older population is higher than the global average. Over the next 20 years, England will see an increase in the number of older people who have higher levels of dependency, dementia and comorbidity, many of whom will require 24-hour residential care. It is estimated that 70% of residents in nursing and residential care homes either have dementia on admission or develop it while residing in the care home, many of who will have complex needs with high levels of multimorbidity. However, there is a lack of consistency in the provision of primary care and specialist services to this population and a known gap in knowledge and skills of dementia care in care home staff and primary care teams. Methods This article considers the current health policy drivers to enhance integrated health and social care provision to care homes and proposes a model of care that would support the aims of the NHS Long Term Plan for care to be delivered closer to home and improve out of hospital care which includes people who live in care homes by introducing Enhanced Health in Care Homes. It is crucial that such a model includes the correct skill mix to meet the needs of the care home population. Conclusions There are currently gaps in service provision to many care homes. Admiral nurse case managers and specialists in dementia care, are well placed to support the delivery of Enhanced Health in Care Homes and improve access to specialist support to care home residents, their families, care home staff and the wider health and social care system.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e023287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reena Devi ◽  
Julienne Meyer ◽  
Jay Banerjee ◽  
Claire Goodman ◽  
John Raymond Fletcher Gladman ◽  
...  

IntroductionThis protocol describes a study of a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) to support implementation and delivery of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in UK care homes. The QIC will be formed of health and social care professionals working in and with care homes and will be supported by clinical, quality improvement and research specialists. QIC participants will receive quality improvement training using the Model for Improvement. An appreciative approach to working with care homes will be encouraged through facilitated shared learning events, quality improvement coaching and assistance with project evaluation.Methods and analysisThe QIC will be delivered across a range of partnering organisations which plan, deliver and evaluate health services for care home residents in four local areas of one geographical region. A realist evaluation framework will be used to develop a programme theory informing how QICs are thought to work, for whom and in what ways when used to implement and deliver CGA in care homes. Data collection will involve participant observations of the QIC over 18 months, and interviews/focus groups with QIC participants to iteratively define, refine, test or refute the programme theory. Two researchers will analyse field notes, and interview/focus group transcripts, coding data using inductive and deductive analysis. The key findings and linked programme theory will be summarised as context-mechanism-outcome configurations describing what needs to be in place to use QICs to implement service improvements in care homes.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was reviewed by the National Health Service Health Research Authority (London Bromley research ethics committee reference: 205840) and the University of Nottingham (reference: LT07092016) ethics committees. Both determined that the Proactive HEAlthcare of Older People in Care Homes study was a service and quality improvement initiative. Findings will be shared nationally and internationally through conference presentations, publication in peer-reviewed journals, a graphical illustration and a dissemination video.


2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Russell ◽  
M. Elia

More than 3 million individuals are estimated to be at risk of malnutrition in the UK, of whom about 93% live in the community. BAPEN's Nutrition Screening Week surveys using criteria based on the ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ (‘MUST’) revealed that 28% of individuals on admission to hospital and 30–40% of those admitted to care homes in the previous 6 months were malnourished (medium+high risk using ‘MUST’). About three quarters of hospital admissions and about a third of care home admissions came from their own homes with a malnutrition prevalence of 24% in each case. Outpatient studies using ‘MUST’ showed that 16–20% patients were malnourished and these were associated with more hospital admissions and longer length of stay. In sheltered housing, 10–14% of the tenants were found to be malnourished, with an overall estimated absolute prevalence of malnutrition which exceeded that in hospitals. In all cases, the majority of subjects were at high risk of malnutrition. These studies have helped establish the magnitude of the malnutrition problem in the UK and identified the need for integrated strategies between and within care settings. While hospitals provide a good opportunity to identify malnourished patients among more than 10 million patients admitted there annually and the five- to six-fold greater number attending outpatient departments, commissioners and providers of healthcare services should be aware that much of the malnutrition present in the UK originates in the community before admission to hospitals or care homes or attendance at outpatient clinics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Dave Hancock
Keyword(s):  

What messages for Primary Care Networks are there in a report by The King's Fund into Primary Care Homes? Dave Hancock finds out


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. e16.2-e16
Author(s):  
Bridie Evans ◽  
Mark Kingston ◽  
Alison Porter ◽  
Leigh Keen ◽  
Lesley Griffiths ◽  
...  

BackgroundDue to medical advances, the population of care homes is becoming increasingly frail, often with co-morbidities. Recent innovations have seen paramedics take on non-emergency roles within or supporting care homes. This workforce innovation requires urgent evaluation, taking account of the multiple perspectives at stake. Research is more relevant, feasible and accountable if those who commission, deliver and use healthcare services are able to input their professional and personal insights.MethodWe conducted a stakeholder event as part of research development work for paramedics working in care homes (PERCH: Preliminary Exploration of paramedic Roles in Care Homes). We invited representatives from care homes, including Enabling Research in Care Homes (ENRICH) network members, ambulance services, primary and secondary care, patient/resident and public members, and the research community. To inform discussion, we presented examples of paramedics working in care homes. We then facilitated small-group discussions about how to evaluate such innovations and recorded views on sticky notes and flipcharts.Results23 people attended the event. Clarity of roles and communication processes were considered important to implement the pilot project. Attendees agreed that research outcome measures should include changes in avoidable hospital admissions, emergency department attendances and 999 calls plus staff, patient and family satisfaction. They identified some potential benefits to ambulance services and general practice, such as time saved for other patients, but believed these could be difficult to measure.DiscussionGaining the insights of a wide range of stakeholders prior to research being designed is an important, but under-utilised approach in research development. People who deliver and receive community-based care have insight derived from personal and professional experience which complements research expertise. Research in care home settings is challenging, and insights from stakeholders were significant in the development of a research proposal about the role of paramedics in care homes (PERCH study). We submitted this to the Health and Care Research Wales Research for Public and Patient Benefit funding scheme in 2019.


BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e050665
Author(s):  
Jason Scott ◽  
Katie Brittain ◽  
Kate Byrnes ◽  
Pam Dawson ◽  
Stephanie Mulrine ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe aim of this study is to develop a better understanding of incident reporting in relation to transitions in care between hospital and care home, and to codesign a systems-level response to safety issues for patients transitioning between hospital and care home.Methods and analysisTwo workstreams (W) will run in parallel. W1 will aim to develop a taxonomy of incident reporting in care homes, underpinned by structured interviews (N=150) with care home representatives, scoping review of care home incident reporting systems, and a review of incident reporting policy related to care homes. The taxonomy will be developed using a standardised approach to taxonomy development. W2 will be structured in three phases (P). P1a will consist of ≤40 interviews with care home staff to develop a better understanding of their specific internal systems for reporting incidents, and P1b will include ≤30 interviews with others involved in transitions between hospital and care home. P1a and P1b will also examine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on safe transitions. P2 will consist of a retrospective documentary analysis of care home data relating to resident transitions, with data size and sampling determined based on data sources identified in P1a. A validated data extraction form will be adapted before use. P3 will consist of four validation and codesign workshops to develop a service specification using National Health Service Improvement’s service specification framework, which will then be mapped against existing systems and recommendations produced. Framework analysis informed by the heuristic of systemic risk factors will be the primary mode of analysis, with content analysis used for analysing incident reports.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received university ethical approval and Health Research Authority approval. Findings will be disseminated to commissioners, providers and regulators who will be able to use the codesigned service specification to improve integrated care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Patricia Hall ◽  
Thilo Kroll ◽  
Julianne Hickey ◽  
Diarmuid Stokes ◽  
Olive Lennon

Background: Growing consensus supports public and patient involvement (PPI) in research as the lived experience of patients, family carers and users of health and social care services bring unique insights to healthcare research. The impact and burden of stroke present ongoing challenges for those living with its consequences and could potentially limit PPI activity. This review aims to explore PPI in published stroke research to identify and describe the extent, nature and design of PPI activities, the type/s of studies involved and the profile of PPI participants engaged in stroke research. Methods: This systematic scoping review, guided by the Arksey & O’Malley five step framework, will be reported according to the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. PPI is embedded at each stage of this proposed scoping review from conceptualisation, participation, contribution and collaboration. The Population, Concept, Context (PCC) structure defines the research question which asks - How is PPI in stroke research currently being conducted and how do the study authors report their PPI activities and its impact? A comprehensive range of electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will generate a broad range of studies. Grey literature (e.g. OpenGrey, Leanus) and internationally recognised stroke organisation websites will be searched for additional research reports. Data extraction will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, with results collated and mapped to the research cycle stage/s. Conclusions: The outlined scoping review protocol will comprehensively identify and map the existing scientific literature that reports PPI in stroke research. Findings will be presented in relation to PPI conceptualisation, participant profiles and activities in stroke research, volume, type and range of approaches. Knowledge gaps and future priorities for PPI in stroke research will be identified.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e036221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam L Gordon ◽  
Reena Devi ◽  
Christopher Williams ◽  
Claire Goodman ◽  
Kathleen Sartain ◽  
...  

IntroductionOlder people who live in care homes have a high level of need with complex health conditions. In addition to providing medical care to residents, general practitioners (GPs) play a role as gatekeeper for access to services, as well as leadership within healthcare provision. This review will describe how GPs were involved in initiatives to change arrangements of healthcare services in order to improve quality and experience of care.Methods and analysisFollowing RAMESES quality and publication guidelines standards, we will proceed with realist review to develop theories of how GPs work with care home staff to bring about improvements. We identify when improvement in outcomes does not occur and why this may be the case. The first stage will include interviews with GPs to ask their views on improvement in care homes. These interviews will enable development of initial theories and give direction for the literature searches. In the second stage, we will use iterative literature searches to add depth and context to the early theories; databases will include Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and ASSIA. In stage 3, evidence that is judged as rigorous and relevant will be used to test the initial theories, and through the process, refine the theory statements. In the final stage, we will synthesise findings and provide recommendations for practice and policy-making.During the review, we will invite a context expert group to reflect on our findings. This group will have expertise in current trends in primary care and the care home sector both in UK and internationally.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee: 354-1907. Findings will be shared through stakeholder networks, published in National Institute for Health Research journal and submitted for peer-reviewed journal publication.


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