Emerald | Journal of Integrated Care | Table of Contents

The INTERLINKS Framework for Long-Term Care of Older People in Europe.

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Jenny Billings) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper describes the methodological approach to and outcomes of a European multi-consortium EU 7th Framework funded project entitled ‘INTERLINKS’. The project sought to develop a concept and method to describe and analyse long-term care and its links with the health and social care systems, and formal and informal care. Design/methodology/approach - Through the development of a template, it accumulated and validated practice examples that described good policy and practice, transferable across EU Member States. Findings - The outcome was to assemble a range of themes, sub-themes and 135 key issues into a web-based Framework for LTC that is illustrated by over a hundred examples of validated practice in LTC for older people. Research limitations/implications - Key messages emanating from the project are provided, with an emphasis on the need for greater investment and pluralist evaluation of initiatives that seek to address the interfaces and links between care services.Originality/value - The project is unique in that is provides a comprehensive and accessible interactive European database of policy and projects that directly address the problems of interfaces between service provision for older people, and contributes towards the evidence base in discrete areas of LTC.

The Shifting Sands of Support Planning

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Val Williams, Sue Porter, Steve Strong) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to present a critical analysis of the current issues about support planning within personal budgets (PBs) for disabled and older people. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on data from a round of professional workshops in five local authorities, which represented the first stage of a research study about support planning. Focus group discussions were held with participants from voluntary sector organisations (VSOs), as well as social services participants, and the paper is based on a thematic analysis of those discussions. Findings - While there was considerable agreement about the desired outcomes for personal budget users, and the ingredients of good support planning, some major concerns were voiced about current constraints. Budgetary cuts were felt to impinge negatively on support planning, and conflicts were identified for social services between the facilitation of PB users’ choices, and the need to keep budgets limited. Support planning was often being re-colonised by social services, and VSOs felt that their own role was being curtailed. Some suggestions were made about equalising the power relationships between social services, VSOs and PB users themselves. Originality/value - These workshops represent five local authority areas which volunteered to take part in research, building on existing good practices in support for PB users. The obstacles they identified are likely to be very general ones, and need to be addressed by strategic solutions at national and local level.

Evaluating health and well-being checks for unpaid carers

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (angela burrows) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - To evaluate the efficacy of providing health and well-being checks and 6 months support to unpaid carers. Changes in carer stress will be measured between baseline and final assessment.Design/methodology/approach - A cross sectional, correlational study of the 394 carers recruited and the sub-group of 348 carers who received support for 6 months. A T-test measured mean change in the carers' GHQ-12 scores between baseline and final assessment. A chi-squared test was used to measure movement in the GHQ-12 scoring quartiles between the baseline and final assessment.Findings - The 348 carers receiving support for 6 months reported a statistically significant small reduction in their baseline and final assessment scores. The carers identified by the GHQ as having less severe stress scores did better than those with more severe stress levels.Research limitations/implications - As there was no control group it is not possible to compare these outcomes with the outcomes of a group of carers receiving care as usual. It is therefore possible that there may be some other factors at play for the intervention group over the 6 month period of support, other than the intervention itself, which have influenced the change in career stress.Originality/value - There is limited research available on the outcomes of carers' interventions, particularly those which involve holistic interventions, such as health and well-being checks being delivered by a multi-agency partnership.

Local Education and Training Boards: Key messages for promoting integrated care

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Virginia McCririck, Rhidian Hughes) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - NHS reforms in England led to the establishment of Local Education and Training Board (LETBs) to ensure the future supply of staff. LETBs have an important role in addressing health and social care integration. This paper aims to stimulate debate, ideas and opportunities to improve integrated workforce planning, practice and policy. Design/methodology/approach - This is a thought leadership article which presents a distillation of key policy and strategy, drawing out implications for policy makers and workforce planners at a strategic level. Findings - The paper describes and critically appraises the role of LETBs in supporting integration between health and social care. The key messages include: ensure social care and public health representation on the board, track education and training decisions against commissioning priorities, focus on outcomes and transition points, build health related skills in social care, support providers and use performance measures of integration. Practical implications - LETBs need to demonstrate an open and transparent approach to workforce education and planning. All partners need to engage including social care and public health service commissioners and providers. Originality/value - There is a substantial body of literature on integration, although much less is devoted to examining workforce. This article will be of particular interest to LETB leaders, those responsible for reviewing and assessing the performance of LETBs as well as social care leaders and workforce planners. In addition the article will be of interest to those supporting integrated workforce planning and development across the UK and internationally.

Reforming care legislation in England and Wales: different legislative approaches to promoting integrated care

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ed Mitchell) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This article identifies the different approaches to integrated care taken by separate proposed care services legislation for England Wales with a view to informing debate on the legislationDesign/methodology/approach - Comparative analysis of the proposed legislationFindings - While there is much common ground between the two pieces of legislation, in other respects the approach taken to integrated care legislation differs across England and WalesOriginality/value - This is the first published analysis of the different approaches to integrated care legislation reform proposed for England and Wales