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The research has had significant impact in the UK on the development of social and spiritual support for people at the end of life and their families. With Professor Holloway as Social Care Lead on the National End of Life Care Programme (NEoLCP) since 2009, the research has underpinned the launch of a framework for the delivery of social care at the end of life which is now in its second phase of implementation. The framework is endorsed by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and has led to local and regional Action Plans and social care practice initiatives. The research on spirituality has led to scoping and training initiatives in healthcare practice and in the funerals industry within the UK and internationally.
Professor Christopher Cook's research on the role of spirituality in psychiatric care has had a wide-ranging effect on professional debate, policy and practice amongst psychiatrists in the UK and beyond. His argument that psychiatry should undertake a constructive and nuanced engagement with spirituality, defined broadly, has sparked widespread debate within the profession. His work with an NHS trust since 2008 has produced a set of new clinical service initiatives, and his wider influence led the Royal College of Psychiatrists to commission him to produce its first formal policy statement on spirituality and religion, adopted in 2011.
The Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at the University of Manchester (UoM) has run a programme of research examining community care of older people since 1996. The findings have informed key government decision-making around two important national policy initiatives between 2008 and 2013: (1) the development and implementation of Personal Budgets in Social and Health Care and (2) National Strategies to improve Dementia Services. This has affected the national provision of social care for older people and other adult social care users. In 2011-12, there were over 1.2 million people in England receiving social care affected by these policy changes (over 800,000 aged 65+), with a cost of £6,600m spent on their care (NHS and Social Care Information Centre).
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.
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.
King's College London (KCL) researchers developed and disseminated the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) which provides a scientifically rigorous and flexible approach to assessing the mental health and social needs of people with a wide range of disorders. Mental Health services around the world are striving to increase the patient-centeredness of their care. The CAN supports this needs-led care planning to help transform mental health policy and practice. KCL work has resulted in CAN being the most internationally recognised and researched assessment tool available. The CAN is widely used in mental health policies and locally adapted versions are routinely used in clinical practice within both statutory mental health services and nongovernmental organisations in the UK and around the world.
Our research has led to major changes in the management of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in general practice. Our findings that people with schizophrenia are at greater risk of cardiovascular diseases informed NICE guidance in the UK and international guidelines. The Department of Health's strategy on Mental Health was influenced by our work on the interface between physical and mental health. Recommendations in the NICE guidance have now been taken up by the NHS Quality Outcomes Framework (QoF) in England and Scotland. General practitioners are specifically required to monitor BMI (Body Mass Index), blood pressure, and glucose and serum lipids levels in all registered patients with SMI.
Primary research with people with multiple sclerosis and their carers, led by Brunel, has had positive impacts on service user and government organisations internationally; research has improved practice in relation to the nature and effect of self-management strategies of people with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as enhancing therapy for the condition and raising awareness of the needs of carers. The research has shaped evidence-based guidelines, consensus papers, reports and policies, which have in turn enhanced the effectiveness of professional practice and service delivery. Through developing the evidence base and sharing best practice the research has resulted in improved health and welfare benefits for people with multiple sclerosis and their carers.
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.