This review looks at how well the healthcare needs of people living in care homes are being met. We will include the healthcare needs of people of all ages living in residential and nursing homes.

We will look at whether people in care homes:

• have equal access to NHS services;
• have choice and control over their healthcare;
• receive healthcare that is safe and respects their dignity

We will also look at how:

• care is planned and assessed
• health is promoted
• people are referred to NHS services
• health services charge for treatment
• consent issues are addressed
• healthcare treatment is delivered in partnership with other services

Which organisations and services will we be looking at?

We will look at:

• the provision of community health services to care homes
• the input from general practitioners to care homes
• the role of the care home itself in healthcare, including the skills of care home staff in terms of carrying out delegated healthcare tasks
• the role of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and councils as commissioners

What are the key dates for the review?

Stage 1: Identify poorest performing areas

The first stage of the review is to identify what areas of the country are most at risk of poor performance using existing national data.

Starting in late February 2010 we will also collect additional evidence from PCTs and councils through a national survey. To assist councils and PCTs to prepare for the national survey, the forms as approved by ROCR (Review of Central Returns) can be accessed using the links below. These forms have been updated from the forms placed on this page in December 2009. The only question to have changed in anything more than a minor way is question 2. Here, on advice from ROCR, an extra sub-question has been added, along with changes to wording and guidance. All other changes consist of minor corrections. We will give PCTs and councils access to the survey data so they can compare information.

Health Care for People Living in Care Homes - PCT collection form (XLS, 537KB, opens in new window)

Health Care for People Living in Care Homes - Council Data collection form (XLS, 140KB, opens in new window)

Health Care for People Living in Care Homes - Council Data collection form (PDF, 118KB, opens in new window)

Data collection FAQs 20100308 (PDF, 212KB, opens in new window)

Data collection guide (PDF, 201KB, opens in new window)

Please note that the data collection period for this review closes midnight Wednesday 31st March 2010.

Stage 2: Assess poorest performing areas

Starting in May 2010 we will assess the 10% of areas most at risk of poor performance. We will gather evidence from PCTs, councils and GPs.

We will also visit a sample of care homes where we will undertake a number of inspection activities, including talking to care home managers and staff. Our Experts by experience will help us get the views of people living in care homes about their healthcare.

We will produce public local assessment reports for the areas we have focused from July 2010. We will also publish a national report in November 2010, which uses evidence from both stages of the review.

Where can I get more information?

These briefing documents are aimed at PCTs, council adult social services departments (ASSDs) and care homes, to make these organisations aware of the review, how they may be required to contribute to it and how information collected by the review will be used. They may also be useful for people living in care homes and their relatives, and for organisations interested in healthcare for these people.

Introduction to the review: Meeting the healthcare needs of people living in care homes 2009/2010 (PDF, 43KB, opens in new window)

Introduction to the review: Meeting the healthcare needs of people living in care homes 2009/2010 (Easy Read version) (PDF, 1494KB, opens in new window)

Equality and human rights impact assessment (EHRIA)

Healthcare for People Living in Care Homes - summary of risk assessment (DOC, 74KB, opens in new window)

How can I get involved?

If you would like to contribute to this review or receive updates by email, please contact us:

Email: reviews.studies@cqc.org.uk

http://www.cqc.org.uk/aboutcqc/whatwedo/improvinghealthandsocialcare/spe...