Health Policy August 2020 124(8) p826-833 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.06.004
- An evaluation of the New Care Models programme (2015-18) found that Vanguard sites had higher hospital utilisation than non-participants in the pre-intervention period. In the post-intervention period, there is clear evidence of a substantial increase in emergency admissions among non-Vanguard sites. The Vanguard integrated care programme slowed the rise in emergency admissions, especially in care home sites and in the third and final year. There was no significant reduction in bed-days. The researchers conclude that integrated care policies should not be relied upon to make large reductions in hospital activity in the short-run, especially for population-based models.
- NIHR Evidence - The Vanguard programme to integrate health and social care achieved some of its aims but took time to show an effect - Informative and accessible health and care research
