scholarly journals Complex care needs and devolution in Greater Manchester: a pilot study to explore social care innovation in newly integrated service arrangements for older people

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 838
Author(s):  
Baber Malik ◽  
Jude Wells ◽  
Jane Hughes ◽  
Paul Clarkson ◽  
John Keady ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe emergent approaches to integrated care for older people with complex care needs and investigate the viability of measuring integrated care. MethodsA case study approach was used. Sites were recruited following discussion with senior staff in health and social care agencies. Service arrangements were categorised using a framework developed by the researchers. To investigate joint working within the sites, the development model for integrated care was adapted and administered to the manager of each service. Data were collected in 2018. ResultsSix case study sites were recruited illustrating adult social care services partnerships in services for older people with home care providers, mental health and community nursing services. Most were established in 2018. Service arrangements were characterised by joint assessment and informal face-to-face discussions between staff. The development of an infrastructure to promote partnership working was evident between adult social care and each of the other services and most developed with home care providers. There was little evidence of a sequential approach to the development of integrated working practices. ConclusionComponents of partnerships promoting integrated care have been highlighted and understanding of the complexity of measuring integrated care enhanced. Means of information sharing and work force development require further consideration. What is known about the topic?The devolution of health and social care arrangements in Greater Manchester has aroused considerable interest in much wider arenas. Necessarily much of the focus in available material has been upon strategic development, analysis of broader trends and mechanisms and a concern with changes in the healthcare system. What does this paper add?The findings from this study will enable emerging approaches to be described and codified, and permit the specific social care contribution to the new arrangements to be discerned. The findings are relevant beyond the immediate context of Greater Manchester to wider integrated care. The evidence can be used by commissioners and services, providing a sound basis for further work as service systems develop. What are the implications for practitioners?This research is important because it is one of the first pieces of work to examine the new integrated care arrangements in Greater Manchester. By providing guidance to promote evidence-based practice, this study contributes to service development in Greater Manchester and the achievement of the broad national service objectives of improving user and carer experiences and ensuring value for money.

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 108-122
Author(s):  
Patricia Dearnaley ◽  
Joanne E. Smith

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to stimulate a wider debate around the coordination of workforce planning in non-statutory services (in this case, specialist housing for older people or those with long-term health and social care needs, such as learning disabilities). The authors argue that current NHS reforms do not go far enough in that they fail to include specialist housing and its workforce in integration, and by doing so, will be unable to optimise the potential efficiencies and streamlining of service delivery to this group. Design/methodology/approach The paper used exploratory study using existing research and data, enhanced by documentary analysis from industry bodies, regulators and policy think tanks. Findings That to achieve the greatest operational and fiscal impact upon the health care services, priority must be given to improving the efficiency and coordination of services to older people and those requiring nursing homes or registered care across the public and third sectors through the integration of service delivery and workforce planning. Research limitations/implications Whilst generalisable and achievable, the model proposed within the paper cannot be fully tested theoretically and requires further testing the in real health and social care market to evidence its practicality, improved quality of care and financial benefits. Originality/value The paper highlights some potential limitations to the current NHS reforms: by integrating non-statutory services, planned efficiency savings may be optimised and service delivery improved.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Aisling M. O'Halloran ◽  
Peter Hartley ◽  
David Moloney ◽  
Christine McGarrigle ◽  
Rose Anne Kenny ◽  
...  

Background: There is increasing policy interest in the consideration of frailty measures (rather than chronological age alone) to inform more equitable allocation of health and social care resources. In this study the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) classification tree was applied to data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and correlated with health and social care utilisation. CFS transitions over time were also explored. Methods: Applying the CFS classification tree algorithm, secondary analyses of TILDA data were performed to examine distributions of health and social care by CFS categories using descriptive statistics weighted to the population of Ireland aged ≥65 years at Wave 5 (n=3,441; mean age 74.5 (SD ±7.0) years, 54.7% female). CFS transitions over 8 years and (Waves 1-5) were investigated using multi-state Markov models and alluvial charts. Results: The prevalence of CFS categories at Wave 5 were: 6% ‘very fit’, 36% ‘fit’, 31% ‘managing well’, 16% ‘vulnerable’, 6% ‘mildly frail’, 4% ‘moderately frail’ and 1% ‘severely frail’. No participants were ‘very severely frail’ or ‘terminally ill’. Increasing CFS categories were associated with increasing hospital and community health services use and increasing hours of formal and informal social care provision. The transitions analyses suggested CFS transitions are dynamic, with 2-year probability of transitioning from ‘fit’ (CFS1-3) to ‘vulnerable’ (CFS4), and ‘fit’ to ‘frail’ (CFS5+) at 34% and 6%, respectively. ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘frail’ had a 22% and 17% probability of reversal to ‘fit’ and ‘vulnerable’, respectively. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the CFS classification tree stratified the TILDA population aged ≥65 years into subgroups with increasing health and social care needs. The CFS could be used to aid the allocation of health and social care resources in older people in Ireland. We recommend that CFS status in individuals is reviewed at least every 2 years.


2006 ◽  
Vol os13 (4) ◽  
pp. 130-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Lane ◽  
Jennifer E Gallagher

Following the publication of the National Service Framework for Older People, there have been developments across health and social care to facilitate holistic assessment of older people's needs, through what is called a ‘single assessment process’ or ‘SAP’. In this paper, readers are introduced to the SAP. The process can be seen as a ‘one-stop’ approach to the assessment of vulnerable older people that facilitates cross-referral between the agencies involved and triggers access to dental care. The paper explores the benefits of this new way of working in support of older people and how it will provide an opportunity for innovative dental practitioners to integrate oral healthcare for people with complex health and social care needs into the SAP. In concludes that as local commissioning evolves, opportunities for practitioners to develop targeted services for this important patient group should be expanded to improve the uptake of healthcare and oral healthcare.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke Broersen ◽  
Nynke Frieswijk ◽  
Hans Kroon ◽  
Ad A. Vermulst ◽  
Daan H. M. Creemers

Background: The Multicenter Youth Flexible ACT Study is an ongoing observational prospective cohort study that examines the effects of Youth Flexible ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) on young people with complex care needs who are difficult to engage in traditional (office-based) mental health services. However, a clear and detailed description of this patient group is lacking. In the current paper, we present baseline characteristics and psychosocial outcomes of the Youth Flexible ACT target group and explore the existence of underlying specific patient subgroups.Methods: Sixteen Youth Flexible ACT teams from seven mental healthcare institutes in the Netherlands participated in the study. Research participants were monitored for 18 months and administered questionnaires measuring psychiatric- and social functioning every 6 months, yielding four measurements. Baseline data were obtained from 199 adolescents, their mental health workers, and parents/carers. Latent Class Analysis based on HoNOSCA scores (measuring psychosocial and daily functioning) was conducted to identify underlying subgroups.Results: The target group of Youth Flexible ACT mainly consisted of patients older than 15 years of age with a history of (specialized) mental healthcare. They face many complex problems, including trauma; developmental, mood, and anxiety disorders; and problems with school attendance, family life, and peer relationships. Other frequently reported difficulties were substance misuse, the involvement of the legal system or police, problems with intellectual functioning, and personal finance. Patients were classified into four distinct classes: the “internalizing,” “externalizing,” “non-specific,” and the “overly impulsive” subgroup. Each subgroup had its unique pattern of difficulties and focus, respectively, high levels of depression and anxiety, disruptive behavior, unspecific difficulties, and substance misuse.Conclusions: As expected, patients in Youth Flexible ACT experienced many severe problems, rendering them vulnerable to fragmented and, thus, ineffective care. Our findings underscore the need for an integrated care approach with a multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals that can bridge these wide-ranging psychosocial problems, as each class of participants experienced a different set of difficulties. Youth Flexible ACT teams need to adjust their care services accordingly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 122-129
Author(s):  
Axel Kaehne

Integrating health and social care services remains one of the most difficult undertakings in the field of care delivery. One of the key requirements for success in integration programmes is a shared vision amongst care providers. Shared visions may contain views as to what the new services should look like, how it should operate and what it should be able to achieve. The paper reports findings of an evaluation of a service integration programme in the North of England. It confirms that a programme consensus on issues such as aims and objectives and programme logics is seen by participants as a key to success. Yet, the study also found that there is a specific window of opportunity in integration programmes when participating organisations start on relatively high levels of commitment and enthusiasm which tend to tail off relatively quickly. The paper closes with a discussion about the implications of the findings for programme designers and service planners.


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