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This systematic evidence, evaluating the effectiveness of midwife-led care, has helped to shape policy improvements in promoting access to midwifery care and reducing health inequalities nationally (e.g. NHS, Department of Health [DH]) and internationally (e.g. Australia, Brazil & US). The review was recognised by the DH and updated rapidly to inform NICE intrapartum guidelines. As part of the Commissioning, Service Delivery and Organisation theme, the Maternal and Early Childhood Health Research Group (MACHRIG) led by Professor Hora Soltani, in collaboration with the Sheffield Teaching Hospital-Jessop Wing (STH-JW) and maternity user representatives, has initiated an awareness campaign to encourage information sharing on types of maternity care and to enhance the implications of findings for women and staff via the hospital website and targeted seminars. It is envisaged that its impact will continue to grow through an extensive dissemination strategy and media coverage.
This case study is based on a series of major studies by academic staff at City University London relating to quality, safety, choice and organisation of birth in different settings. Their research has been widely cited and debated by policy, professional and user groups, nationally and internationally. The key impact has been on national and international guidelines for commissioning and on reconfiguration of services to include Midwife Units, to tackle the rising rates of intervention in childbirth and to underpin informed choice for patients. The research is being used by policy-makers, commissioners and managers to plan future services and by midwives to support informed choice discussions.
Adult Social Care (ASC) is a growing sector which currently employs 1.6 million care workers and benefits 1.8 million care recipients. Research carried out by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) into the recruitment, development and retention of ASC workers has had a direct impact on ASC policy, management practice and human resource (HR) practice.
In the area of health, welfare and public policy, the primary research impact was on the Adult Social Care Recruitment and Retention Strategy 2011. Among ASC managers and HR practitioners, the research findings informed and stimulated debate over the conduct of ASC work and the benefits of good HR practice.
The ability of healthcare professionals to empathise with patients has been shown to enhance patient satisfaction, improve symptoms and promote well-being. Research at University of Glasgow has developed the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure — the first validated, patient-rated questionnaire developed in a primary care setting that measures patient perceptions of healthcare professionals' empathy and quality of care. The CARE Measure is formally embedded into healthcare professional training standards through its inclusion in Scottish General Practitioner (GP) appraisals and the Royal College of General Practitioners Membership (MRCGP) and Interim Membership by Assessment of Performance (iMAP) processes; through these means more than 8,000 GPs are using the CARE Measure. It has also been incorporated into the Scottish Government's policy on Healthcare Quality and adopted by the General Medical Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Research conducted at the University of Manchester (UoM) has shaped the design of national systems of accreditation for general practice in the UK, Europe and beyond. Accreditation systems set standards that reflect key aspects of the organisational systems and processes in general practice that are needed to ensure delivery of good quality care. Accreditation systems also provide a kite mark of quality assurance and act as a platform for supporting continuous quality improvement. UoM developed indicators of quality in general practice structure and organisation and demonstrated how they could be used effectively to improve quality. Working in partnership with health professional organisations, governmental organisations and other universities, UoM used knowledge from the research to develop systems for general practice accreditation now used in the UK and across Europe.
Research carried out in the International Observatory on End of Life Care (IOELC) at Lancaster University led by Professor Payne has played a major role in influencing the strategic direction of service and policy development globally. IOELC initiated the systematic collation of development data and delivered the first research-based international analysis of the development of palliative care. For example, research on access to opioids in 12 resource poor countries in central and eastern Europe via the ATOME project has delivered major impact, leading to significant changes in legislation and policy and improved access to pain medication, and palliative and end of life care for millions of people around the world.
The research has led to the design of a new clinical pharmacy service model, centred on community pharmacies, to improve the care of patients with palliative care needs living in the community. This resulted in better provision of information for patients (and their carers) and new training resources and staff development opportunities for the multi-disciplinary palliative care team. Funding has been secured to rollout the new service across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board (NHS GGC - 1.2M population) in 2013. The research has also supported a successful bid to explore the service model in a remote and rural Health Board (NHS Highland) and has informed specific programmes of Macmillan Cancer Support UK, pharmacy workforce planning, and the Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists initiative.
The University of Nottingham's Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care has enhanced the understanding, implementation and uptake of advance care planning for end of life care. Its work has shaped public policy and influenced national initiatives that have improved quality of life and reduced the number of deaths in hospitals. The research has been cited as an exemplar by the World Health Organisation and has helped inform policymaking at European level. It has guided professional practice, educated care staff and contributed to a more positive public attitude towards talking about end of life issues.
We have developed the first ever physiotherapy guidelines (2008-) for contracted (frozen) shoulder (CFS). CFS is painful and disabling, affects c.9% of the UK working-age population,1 and costs the NHS > £13.5 million annually.2 Appropriate physiotherapy could improve outcomes and reduce costs by up to £2,000 per case.b
Endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), the guidelines have generated great interest and already influenced practice and will improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of clinical management, as well as patients' experiences. They will also provide a better framework for research into the condition and, as a `live', electronic document, will evolve with future research.
Quality of care for the increasing numbers of frail older people is an issue of international concern. Led by Professor Meyer at City University London, in partnership with Age UK and Dementia UK, My Home Life (MHL) is a collaborative movement of people involved with care homes for older people. It was established to improve the quality of life of everyone connected with care homes for older people and has become the recognised voice for the sector. The original underpinning research and ensuing projects all focused on knowledge translation, in particular the factors that enhance quality improvement in care homes. MHL actively works with care homes to progress quality improvement and share the lessons learned throughout the system. The programme has had a significant impact on both policy and practice in health and social care, influencing Government policy and supporting practice improvement across national and international borders.