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Continuity of care for older hospital patients: a call for action
- Authors:
- CORNWELL Jocelyn, et al
- Publisher:
- King's Fund
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Consistent, reliable high-quality care is what all patients want and health workers aim to provide. However, the reality for most patients, particularly those in acute hospitals, often falls far short of the ideal. In the context of acute care, the risks of fragmentation and breakdown in care co-ordination are high, especially for older patients. This paper focuses on those aged 70 years and older with multiple health problems and explores how continuity of care affects them and the people closest to them. This report outlines the current situation, including the fact that most patients in hospital are older, that the length of time they spend in hospital is directly related to age, that they are frequently moved around inside the hospital and are more likely to be re-admitted after discharge. In addition to reviewing the published evidence both in the UK and beyond, this paper also includes case studies from individual carers and examples of interventions designed to strengthen relationships between patients, carers and professionals.
The care of frail older people with complex needs: time for a revolution
- Author:
- CORNWELL Jocelyn
- Publisher:
- King's Fund
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises the discussion of the Sir Roger Bannister Health Summit held by the Kings Fund in November 2011. Representatives from patient and voluntary organisations discussed the care of very old frail people with complex health problems, and what could be done to build the confidence of older patients with complex needs, and their carers, in the quality of care in hospital and at home. The report outlines five key messages. People are living longer but despite improvements in medicine in the past 25 years many health professional were educated and trained for a different eras. Successive governments have recognised the complexity of the problem and introduced policies and guidance but have not converted the rhetoric into the reality of everyday care. Older people’s services do not have high societal status and are not generally considered attractive options for professionals. The majority of staff have few qualifications, are on low pay and have poor working conditions; effective managers working in a supportive organisation could remedy many of the problems. Actions can be taken at different levels in the system, but they believe that the responsibility for quality of care is firmly located at the level of the team. Recommendations are made for: team leaders; senior leaders; professional bodies; and policy makers, government and commissioners.