Age UK invites tenders for the project specified below. For discussion of the research requirements, please contact:
Sujata Ray Research Adviser
Age UK
t 020 303 31461 m 07787 005 950
e mailto:[log in to unmask]
**Please note our new address & phone number
Tavis House, 1- 6 Tavistock Square
London, WC1H 9NA
www.ageuk.org.uk | ageukblog.org.uk | @AgeUKPA
Older patients' experience of emergency hospital readmission
Background
The number of emergency readmissions to hospital increased by 50% in the period 1998/9 to 2007/8. Most of those affected are older people, and in particular the group who are often more frail and sicker than the general population. There is significant variation in rates of emergency admission and re-admission to hospital around the country.
Emergency readmission is distressing for patients and for their relatives and carers, and now also results in withholding of payment to NHS Trusts. Efforts to address the problem have included changes to the tariff to support re-ablement and post-discharge support, with plans under consideration that hospitals should be responsible for patients' care for 30 days after discharge. Addressing this issue is an important part of the quality and productivity challenge for the NHS - as it is seen as an area of high cost and low quality.
The rate of readmission has been used as an indicator of quality of hospital care and of successful outcomes for patients in intervention studies (eg Conroy et al, 2011). Such research has found that case management has a generally positive effect on patients and healthcare staff, but does not demonstrate any statistical effect on emergency readmissions (Lupari et al, 2011). In a qualitative systematic review, Jacob and Poletick (2008) found mixed evidence in favour of enhanced discharge support in preventing or delaying hospital readmissions in adults with heart failure and stroke. They found that those with adequate social support and confidence in their self care ability tended to experience fewer readmissions than those living alone or who thought themselves not ready to return home.
Very little research has directly addressed older patients' experiences of emergency readmission.
Rationale for research
Age UK wishes to explore the causes and effects of emergency readmissions from the point of view of older patients and their carers who have undergone these situations. This work will inform Age UK's emerging health strategy, specifically the theme of improving older people's experiences and outcomes when using health services.
Research aims
To explore the causes and effects of emergency readmission to hospital from the point of view of older patients (and/or their main carer), who have experienced emergency readmission.
Suggested Approach:
We envisage a series of in depth interviews with a diverse group of people over 75 years, who have experienced an emergency readmission to hospital. The interview could be done in conjunction with a carer or family member if preferred.
We would aim for diversity in the sample in terms of gender, household composition (ie living alone / not living alone), area of residence (geographical, urban / rural) and ethnicity.
We also like to be as inclusive as possible, including those people who have been diagnosed with dementia, if they felt able to consent and participate.
However we would like to exclude people who have been in contact with any of Age UK (or other organisation's) hospital aftercare services. NB notwithstanding this exclusion criterion, if required Age UK might be able to help with recruitment of participants through its links with independent forums for older people.
The approach outlined is a suggestion for how to meet our research need, however we are interested in alternative proposals if they can be shown to better meet our needs in a cost effective way.
Sampling
The research relates to Department of Health policy so is confined to England only.
Indicative Budget
We are looking for competitive tenders for this work within a budget of £20,000 including VAT (if applicable).
Outputs / Deliverables
Full research report
Terms and conditions
The work will be carried out in accordance with Age UK's standard terms and conditions - copy available on request.
Timings
Project Inception meeting - w/c 2 Jan 2012
Date for first draft of report - 9 March 2012
Comments on draft by Age UK to be returned by - 23 March 2012
Date for delivery of final report - 31 March 2012
Date for presentation of findings -
Requirements for Tendering
Please provide a full proposal of research work, maximum 10 pages, which includes:
- Approaches and methodologies proposed
- Any assistance required from Age UK
- Timeframe for each stage of the project
- Costing for each aspect of the project (including day rates and additional costs such as travel, and VAT where applicable)
- Examples of previous, relevant work done
- CV of lead researcher
The tender process: Proposed timetable
Invitation to tender circulated: 10th November 2011
Closing date and time for receipt of tenders: 5pm on 25th November 2011
Assessment of tenders and further information sought - by 8th December 2011
Final decision and notification of appointment: 8th December 2011-11-10
Project inception meeting: w/c 3rd January 2012, preferred date is afternoon of Thursday 5th January
Return proposals to: [log in to unmask]
By the deadline of 5pm on Friday 25th November 2011
Age UK Improving later life
www.ageuk.org.uk
-------------------------------
Age UK is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, (registered charity number 1128267, registered company number 6825798). Registered office: Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA.
For the purposes of promoting Age UK Insurance, Age UK is an Appointed Representative of Age UK Enterprises Limited, Age UK is an Introducer Appointed Representative of JLT Benefit Solutions Limited and Simplyhealth Access for the purposes of introducing potential annuity and health cash plans customers respectively. Age UK Enterprises Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions Limited and Simplyhealth Access are all authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
------------------------------
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you receive a message in error, please advise the sender and delete immediately.
Except where this email is sent in the usual course of our business, any opinions expressed in this email are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Age UK or its subsidiaries and associated companies. Age UK monitors all e-mail transmissions passing through its network and may block or modify mails which are deemed to be unsuitable.
Age Concern England (charity number 261794) and Help the Aged (charity number 272786) and their trading and other associated companies merged on 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group, dedicated to improving the lives of people in later life. The three national Age Concerns in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have also merged with Help the Aged in these nations to form three registered charities: Age Scotland, Age NI, Age Cymru.
|
