A recent report by an association of researchers has revealed that integrated caring system by hospitals result in improved health care for patients.

The researchers from the Department of Health (DH), the University of Cambridge and Ernst & Young, RAND Europe had conducted a study that went two years long. They observed almost 16 sites throughout England that followed different ways to integrate care provided to patients.

It was concluded by the team after the Pilot that more than half of staff was in favour of the fact that pilot improved the way patients receive care. The group has told that patients of the pilots that followed intensive case management, which involves coordination of case manager care with elderly people at risk of emergency admission, were at lesser risks of being admitted to hospitals.

As per the findings of the report, the Integrated Care Pilot programme organized by the team was aimed at looking different aspects in which patients are given care. The researchers looked at care provided by hospitals, behaviour of community nurses with patients and general practices undertaken by sites. Also, they looked at the social services being provided by these sites.

Along with the same, the researchers’ major aim was to observe what kind of care is being provided to elderly people. It is because these are the people that are at high risks of emergency admissions in hospitals. Besides, they are the ones that mostly suffer from dementia and mental health problems.

"This report is an important wake-up call, showing that actioning more integration is challenging even when organizations volunteer to collaborate”, said Care services minister Paul Burstow. The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, has even announced a £1.8 million funding to several pilot projects so as to improve the end of life care system.