Evaluating a train-the-trainer educational intervention to raise standards of care, within the nursing home sector in the United Kingdom

Objective: As a response to service needs and project development by the East Midlands Health Innovation Education Cluster, now the Health Education East Midlands, an education programme intervention was developed to raise the standards of clinical and non-clinical care, particularly within the nursing home sector. This paper discusses the development of the intervention based on the “train-the-trainer” model presenting data which highlights improved service quality and a reduction in NHS costs as a result of the training. Methods: The programme measured pre and post impact of the programme on the knowledge and confidence of the staff who took part and captured the impact of the overall training in terms of reported measures such as falls, urinary tract infections, referrals from nursing homes to an emergency department, and number of GP call outs to nursing homes. Results: Analysis revealed; an increase in knowledge and confidence of staff following training, an improvement in outcomes for all key measures including; falls, urinary tract infections, referrals to emergency departments, and number of GP callouts. The data also highlights cost reduction in all these areas based on cost estimates. Conclusions: There is evidence that the delivery of an education intervention in nursing homes, based on local/regional needs and adopting a 'train-the-trainer' approach can improve outcomes for residents and reduce costs for providers, including the NHS, in regard to reduced GP callouts and hospital admissions. It is important to have pre and post data collection measures in place to capture its impact on service quality and evaluate the cost effectiveness of programmes.