Newquay Pathfinder Initial evaluation findings

Background Newquay Pathfinder (NPF) project commenced June 2012 Supported by Age UK, Cornwall Council and health partners Targeted support with ‘at-risk’ older people Individuals and Age UK work in partnership with community health (eg district nurse/matron/Social Workers) as part of a multi-disciplinary team Individuals are supported by an Age UK support worker to identify their needs, and to ensure the care/support package is delivered.

Evaluation scope Initial evaluation only – full evaluation for 100 service users to take place after 1 year Whole system evaluation – Acute care, – Community services, – GP practice-based services and – Adult social care services in scope Initial tranche of 25 service users Compared outcomes and services 6 months before and after Age UK NPF interventions commenced in June 2012

Evaluation approach Close working with partner organisations across health and social care system to gather service activity data for 25 service users in evaluation cohort Data sharing protocol in place to facilitate evaluation Financial impacts modelled using CELL Consulting cost benefit analysis tool and approach Approach focussed on direct costs, not overheads/capital etc. Data and costs extracted from partner systems supported by national benchmarks

Pre-intervention costs Profile of 25 service user costs across health and social care system

Basis of findings Whole system costs captured so overall impact measured. Not attributed any shift in social care package costs to NPF due to timeframe and scale of this evaluation. Social care package reviews to be undertaken at end of pilot and included in later full pilot evaluation of 100 service users. Changes to service provision within community setting with respect to Community Matron service cessation noted.

Findings Net impact of NPF on affected organisations

Findings Early findings suggest an overall saving to whole system Time value of Age UK intervention estimated at £2.5k for cohort Efficiency of £4.40 for each £1 invested was measured A 30% drop in non-elective admissions was observed Biggest efficiency measured for acute healthcare Qualitative evaluation not yet undertaken

Next steps Early findings support the continued expanding of the NPF to 100 service users. Cost benefit analysis model will continue to be used to evaluate impact. Full evaluation of whole cohort to be undertaken at end of 1 year pilot. Extrapolation exercise to be undertaken to evaluate scale of impact on Cornwall wide (or other geographical) basis