Review of the Directed Enhanced Service provision for Care Homes in Newham

Healthwatch Newham reports on local findings from a North East London wide piece of research on Directed Enhanced Services in care homes.  They spoke to 5 care home managers.

Many care homes contacted their assigned GP through phone and email. In person or virtual visits were less likely to be used. If out of hours service was required 40% of care homes reported that they would contact 111.

80% of care homes noted that the GPs were very – somewhat responsive to their requests.

60% of care homes found the Directed Enhanced Services somewhat to very valuable.

Most common services provided by the Directed Enhanced Services were: GP advice on resident care, support for residents with deteriorating health and comprehensive in person assessments of new residents. Furthermore, 1 home also utilised specialist referrals when necessary.

80% of home rounds were reported to occur at varying frequency with only 20% of care homes having these scheduled in regularly.

When managers were asked to comment on any improvements that could be made to home rounds they mentioned a greater focus on face-to-face care where possible and greater recognition of managers in resident care.

When asked about the involvement of staff in home round discussions most care homes reported care home managers/deputy managers as the most likely to attend these discussions.

60% of managers reported that care home staff felt involved in multidisciplinary team meetings. In all cases these team meetings are led by GPs and in 60% of cases take place as and when needed.

Most care home managers (60%) reported that residents did not have GP care plans in place.

The report contains four recommendations to improve the service.