Homecare Innovation Challenge – case studies now published
Last year the Care & Support Minister, Norman Lamb launched the Homecare Innovation Challenge, to generate ideas for developing integrated and sustainable homecare for the future. In these initial stages, the Innovation Challenge looked to thousands of care providers throughout the UK to write a case study discussing the future challenges we face to improve care. These case studies would be featured on the Guardian newspaper’s Homecare Hub which is an online forum for the exchange of ideas following the Department of Health’s call for case studies on homecare successes. The case studies will be immensely useful to demonstrate clearly the value of homecare to people who use services, supporting them to live at home and reducing the need for hospital care.
Our own Femi Adams, trainer for C&S Care Services submitted a case study and we are delighted to hear that his was one of the few that was published!!
“Mr X’s case is a good example of the integration of health and social care because outcomes are achieved and time is used more effectively, in turn leading to reduced cost. Prior to integrated care it took a long while to set up care packages and, even when this was done, a long time to sort out problems relating to the care package because third party providers didn’t have the information they required or it took a while for them to set up meetings to get such information. Also, when they then had the information, it took more time to get hold of all parties that would potentially be required to have an input in service provision, a frustrating process.
When we deliver care we ensure that re-ablement is built into all aspects of tasks provided. For example:
Encouraging the service user to wash areas of their body that they can and helping wash the rest that they can’t (with time and repetitive action some individuals do a bit more);
Offering a choice of meal and drinks, with the service user preparing the food they can while we do the rest;
Assisting them with medication from pharmacy-prepared aids (we can get it out and put it in a dose cup which they take themselves. In some instances they improve and can manage medication themselves from such prepared aids);
Supporting them to walk with aids and exercise routine (as set out by physiotherapist).
The last example is an excellent example of integration because it demonstrates how the physiotherapist can work together with careworkers, ensuring that the exercise routines are carried out at the correct frequency, for example, daily, and ultimately reducing cost. One might argue that specialist attention may be preferred but the same outcome can be achieved (for low and medium risk cases) as long as there is regular feedback from the careworkers to the physiotherapist in charge.
The above case study refers to a service user with a physical disability, but we have also worked effectively to help with the re-ablement of people with mental health issues.”
The UKHCA have published an edited selection of the case studies we received from members, including Femi’s, for the public and media to read – simply click on the link below to take you to the publication.
http://www.ukhca.co.uk/downloads.aspx?ID=437
