Increase in self-managed care and lay carer involvement

The impact of trends towards more carer and patient management of care on nursing could reduce demand; on the other hand, acute interventions could rise as a consequence of more lay involvement.

The impact of trends towards more carer and patient management of care on nursing could be wide ranging and uncertain.

Moves towards encouraging patients to decide their own method of care, including managing their care themselves or with other lay carers such as family members, may reduce demand for services. However, this is by no means certain. A potential risk may be that with more lay involvement, acute interventions could rise, diminishing the gains achieved via greater self-managed care. Consequently, the possible impact on supply is still unclear.

However, if self-managed care and lay carer involvement can be harnessed effectively, there could be benefits in patient safety and experience, and effectiveness of care. Therefore, policymakers will determine whether demand will be reduced through increased self care; patients and users will consider whether self-care and lay carer involvement best suit their requirements.

Sources or references

• Robert G, J. Cornwell, et al. (2011). ‘What matters to patients’? Developing the evidence base for measuring and improving patient experience. Project Report for the Department of Health and NHS Institute for Innovation & Improvement ,NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement
• Department of Health 2012. A framework for NHS patient experience

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.