Innovative piliot project sees GCU physiotherapy students deliver integrated home care

Older people have benefited from a pilot project which saw Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) physiotherapy students provide care at home.

The project was delivered in partnership with Carers Direct, NHS Highland, NES, Scottish Care, and the Care Inspectorate.
 
Fourth year physiotherapy students undertook placements with two providers, Carers Direct, a care at home service in Argyll and Bute, and an NHS reablement physiotherapy service. The placement combined time spent in a physiotherapy practice and care delivered in the home.
 
The Care Inspectorate praised the work of the students and tutors.
 
Karen Reid, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “For people who receive care at home, it can sometimes be difficult to get out and about to access services like physiotherapy.
 
“We were delighted to be involved in this project and it demonstrated that by rethinking the way care is provided, we can better meet people’s needs and provide the care which matters to them, in a setting which suits them.
 
“We know that as more people are living longer, healthier lives, rethinking the way services are provided will become more important.”
 
GCU Senior Physiotherapy Lecturer Douglas Lauchlan said:  “The integration of health and social care and reablement of clients at home and in community settings is a strategic drive of Scottish Government. It is important that physiotherapy students, many of whom are graduating, work alongside acute NHS services and independent providers of care within the home.
 
“In addition to the students’ learning, all partners involved in the project gained an insight into a fast-developing area of care where collaborative working is key to its success.”
 
Student Lindsey Justine Chisholm, from the School of Health and Life Sciences, delivered care to patients before returning to work in physiotherapy and kinesiology.
 
She said: “Delivering care in the home offers the patient greater choice. Seeing patients in their own environments allowed me to tailor and understand the challenges many of them experience on a daily basis. Working as part of a team, we were able to learn from patients, our colleagues and carers and provide the care needed to patients. ”