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An integrated approach for individualised support: carers' views

Pam Moule (Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK)
Katherine Pollard (University of the West of England, Bristol, UK)
Jackie Clarke (Carer, Bristol, UK)
Christine Fear (University of the West of England, Bristol, UK)
Bob Lawson (Carer, Bristol, UK)
Rennie Thompson (University of the West of England, Bristol, UK)
Pat Young (University of the West of England, Bristol, UK)

Journal of Integrated Care

ISSN: 1476-9018

Article publication date: 15 December 2014

236

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to capture carers’ views of a service in Bristol funded jointly by the Local Authority and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, which offers support to carers in the form of a one-off payment which they can use for anything they choose.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-method evaluation of this integrated service was conducted between August 2012 and October 2013 to explore its impact on carers’ health and well-being. This paper presents findings from 40 interviews conducted with carers as part of the evaluation.

Findings

Many carers have little respite from very stressful situations; the break enabled them to focus on their own needs. Carers’ needs included actual short breaks away with or without those being cared for, as well as items like household equipment or exercise classes.

Research limitations/implications

The study was centred on an innovation and integrated approach to support carers in one city and provides a snap-shot of the short-term effects. Longer lasting effects are not known.

Social implications

Most carers found the support beneficial, and in some cases reported a positive effect on their own health and well-being. Effective inter-agency communication and collaboration is essential for the success of the integrated service.

Originality/value

There is limited research available on the outcomes of integrated approaches to support carers.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Bristol City Council and the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group who funded the project. The authors would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the assessors who facilitated the administration of the survey and to the carers who participated in the study.

Citation

Moule, P., Pollard, K., Clarke, J., Fear, C., Lawson, B., Thompson, R. and Young, P. (2014), "An integrated approach for individualised support: carers' views", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 22 No. 5/6, pp. 253-262. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-09-2014-0034

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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