Caring for care homes

Promoting an integrated approach to improving the care of older people has been high on the government’s agenda since the release of the National Service Framework for older people in 2001.¹

With this in mind the care homes team in North Devon was set up in 2012 to provide free education, training, support and advice to care homes across the area. The education and training offered by the team complements the mandatory training requirements provided by the care home.

The idea was piloted by nurse educator, Rebecca Young in 2011. The project initially saw Ms Young provide free education to care homes in North Devon to help prevent avoidable hospital admissions associated with urinary tract and catheter associated infections. Analysis of hospital admission data demonstrated that this was a major cause of admissions from care homes.