Project Director: Jan Gilbertson
Project Duration: 2017
Age UK wanted to evaluate its Personalised Integrated Care Programme. This was a flagship programme and was cited as one of Age UK’s key strategic ambitions. This evaluation was concerned with a particular aspect of the Personalise Integrated Care Programme, the Age UK's pathfinder programme for person centred discharge, which supported older people at risk of extended length of stay in hospital. Two approaches to delivery were developed and the purpose of the evaluation was to test out both approaches. The focus of the evaluation was to understand the level to which Age UK achieved two intended outcomes:
- Improved quality of life for older people.
- Improved experience of health and social care for older people and staff.
The evaluation provided evidence on which approach to delivery results in the best outcomes for older people. Given the demands on the health and social care system, evidence which demonstrates whether or not integrated services (such as the Age UK pathfinder project) can reduce or delay hospital admissions and improve outcomes for clients and staff teams is of paramount importance.
The project team also included Professor Angela Tod (University of Sheffield).