Improving safety for older people when transferred between hospitals and care homes

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges faced when arranging transfers into or out of hospital for people living in care homes. Making transfers safer has been a focus for researchers at the GM PSTRC. Researchers are looking for members of the public in Salford and Manchester to take part in a 45-60 minute interview either online or over the phone.

UoMs’ Dr Gavin Daker-White, researcher in the centre’s Safer Care Systems and Transitions theme has authored a blog that talks about the research and explains why members of the public are being encouraged to get involved with the research, what it entails and what impact this may have.

The team would like to interview:

1. Care home residents
2. Members of their families
3. Care home and hospital staff

Dr Daker White states: “The success of this important research relies upon members of the public taking the time to share their experiences of the transition between hospital and care home. Once we know what works and what doesn’t then we can look at making the transition safer. Ultimately, those who take part in the study will support our mission to ensure that older people in care homes are not harmed while being transferred to and from hospitals. It’s also about ensuring staff at care homes and hospitals are properly equipped to manage these transfers safely.

“The information gathered in this study will be used to trial a new way of managing the hospital transfers (also known as “handovers”) of people living in care homes in Salford and in Greater Manchester. This innovative ‘handover’ scheme will allow care home residents and their formal and informal carers to decide together which belongings and documentation will be transferred during their transition."

The study is underway now, and interviews will be completed by July 2021, so if you’re interested in getting involved please contact Gavin Daker White: gavin.daker-white@manchester.ac.uk