New health programme trial to improve older patient care UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 03 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT


The NHS (National Health Service) is developing new ways to help older people maintain and improve their health and avoid hospital admission under a new healthcare programme being piloted in nine English primary care trusts. Interim results of the pilot sites have been welcomed today by the Department of Health.

Evercare is a healthcare improvement programme developed in the US to improve the quality of care for vulnerable older people. It involves the use of specially-trained nurses to identify and monitor at-risk older people and so that treatment can be given before a visit to hospital is necessary. In the US, Evercare has reduced hospital admissions by fifty per cent, with more care being provided in the community instead.

Early findings show that:

· The development of a new advanced primary nurse role can lead to better co-ordination of pro-active care of older patients and better collaboration with GPs and geriatric consultants

· Better monitoring and education of older patient populations means high-risk patients can be identified and treated before hospital admission becomes necessary

· The work is already addressing the needs of vulnerable older people in the community, using primary care - local doctors and nurses - as the main way of delivering care

Health Minister John Hutton said:

"The NHS is working hard to deliver better healthcare for older patients. Many people over the age of 65 are more vulnerable to hospital admission and we must look at new ways of reducing this risk. The Evercare programme has shown in the US that the introduction of pro-active, integrated care for older people can improve health and reduce hospital admission by up to 50%. This interim report shows how PCTs are looking to transfer and adapt the model to achieve similar improvements in NHS services.

"The progress of the advanced primary nurse role is showing us the benefits of expanding the roles of nurses. Giving nurses increased responsibility has shown that they can deliver a proactive approach to treating older patients, identifying care needs before hospital treatment is required. I look forward to seeing further progress from the Evercare programme and final results confirming progress in achieving better care for elderly people."

Ian Winstanley, director patient services at Luton PCT, one of the participating Trusts, said:

"By translating the lessons we have learnt from the Evercare programme we will manage our elderly frail population far better than we ever have before. Not only will our nurses gain new skills and a fresh personal interest, there will also be real benefits felt by the patients and their families who will be supported and treated at home when previously they would have gone into hospital.

"In addition, the other clinicians involved, namely GP's and the consultants, are also very encouraged by the benefits of managing this previously difficult to reach group of patients."

Lois Quam, spokesperson for Evercare, said:

"The historic achievements of the NHS are well known to us. Working with the impressive clinicians and managers in the PCTs is a great honour. As in all our work, it is always rewarding to see patients' lives improving as a result of the Evercare approach."

The Evercare pilot programme began in April 2003 and will run until August 2004. Today's report gives a mid-term review of the programme's progress. It will be assessed after its completion and results will available early next year.

Notes to editor

1) The nine PCTS piloting the Evercare model are:

Airedale tel: 01535 690 416
Bexley (care trust) tel: 020 8298 6000
Bristol North tel: 0117 976 6600
Bristol South and West tel: 0117 976 6600
Halton tel: 01928 790 404
Luton tel: 01582 528 840
South Gloucestershire tel: 0117 330 2400
Walsall tel: 01922 858 000
Wandsworth tel: 020 8682 6170

A tenth PCT, North Tees (tel: 01642 352297), is looking at data and analysis for more effective commissioning and clinical governance.

2) Media contact for Evercare in the US is Joyce Larkin tel: 001 952-936-3836 mob: 001 952-412-4072.

Media enquiries ONLY to:
Contact Press Office
Phone Bradley Smythe
020 7210 5301
E mail bradley.smythe@doh.gsi.gov.uk

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