The evaluation of two public health integrated care services in Coventry

Abstract

Background: The aim was to qualitatively evaluate two new multidisciplinary integrated public health services in Coventry. The first was an Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) designed to integrate professionals providing care to high users of health and social care services over 75 year olds. The second was a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) designed to integrate professionals involved in child safeguarding. Methods: Interviews were with a range of professionals (n=40) involved in the integration (INT: occupational therapists, community matrons, voluntary sector, psychologists and a lay member involved in the service design; MASH: school nurses, health visitors, social workers and police). We completed thematic analysis for each evaluation, and then synthesised findings together to identify key strengths and potential improvements. Findings: Participants were often cautious of the service at first but once launched they all had positive experiences and felt invested in its success. Strengths included improved communication, information sharing, quicker decision making and increased understanding of each other’s roles. Areas for potential improvement included increase staff capacity, reduce paperwork, improve IT systems for sharing data, and increase time for professional development and reflection as a team. Discussion: Staff can be the driving force and determining factors behind the success of health services, and these findings highlight the importance of in-depth research with staff. They not only provide information about the strengths and weaknesses of a current service, but also vital insight into their general feeling of whether a service is working, if staff are engaged, and whether expectations are being met.