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Australian Health Review Australian Health Review Society
Journal of the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association
RESEARCH FRONT

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

Baber Malik A E , Jude Wells A , Jane Hughes A D , Paul Clarkson A , John Keady B C , Alys Young C and David Challis D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Social Care and Society, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, 4th Floor, Ellen Wilkinson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Email: jude.wells@manchester.ac.uk; paul.clarkson@manchester.ac.uk

B Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3BL, UK.

C University of Manchester, Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Email: alys.young@manchester.ac.uk; John.Keady@manchester.ac.uk

D University of Nottingham, Institute of Mental Health, Jubilee Campus, Innovation Park, Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2TU, UK. Email: david.challis@nottingham.ac.uk; jane.hughes@nottingham.ac.uk

E Corresponding author. Email: baber.malik@manchester.ac.uk

Australian Health Review 44(6) 838-846 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH19168
Submitted: 22 August 2019  Accepted: 3 January 2020   Published: 13 August 2020

Abstract

Objective The 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.

Methods A 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.

Results Six 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.

Conclusion Components 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.

Additional keywords: health care, integrated care.


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