M·E·L Research to explore how care and support could help reduce avoidable hospital admissions for people with MS
We are pleased to be working with the MS Society on new health and care social research exploring how health and care services can better support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and help reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
The health and care social research study will focus on opportunities for earlier intervention and more coordinated, preventative support, while recognising that hospital admission is sometimes clinically necessary. It will explore how different parts of the health and care system can work together to prevent deterioration and crisis, support effective discharge and reduce the risk of readmission.
Ceri Smith, Head of Policy and Evidence, MS Society, said:
“For people living with MS, getting the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference. This research will help us understand where there are opportunities to provide earlier and more coordinated support, as well as what health and care professionals need to make improvements work in practice. We hope the findings will provide a strong evidence base for practical changes that improve care and outcomes for people with MS.”
The research will use a staged qualitative approach, bringing together existing evidence with the experiences and expertise of health and care professionals working across different parts of the system.
It will look across the care pathway, from maintaining health and recognising deterioration through to responding to crisis, hospital admission, discharge and readmission. The research will explore potential barriers to timely and effective care, including issues such as workforce and capacity, referral routes, information sharing, coordination between services, community provision and inequalities in access or outcomes.
“We’re delighted to be supporting the MS Society with this important research. By bringing together perspectives from professionals working across different parts of the health and care system, we want to understand not only where opportunities for earlier intervention exist, but what it would actually take to turn promising ideas into practical and equitable improvements for people with MS.”
The project builds on M·E·L Research’s extensive experience of healthcare social research, particularly around prevention, integrated pathways and service transformation. Recent work includes research for Breast Cancer Now on the implementation of risk-stratified breast screening, evaluation of the All-Wales Rapid Diagnosis Clinic Programme for Public Health Wales, an integrated cancer prehabilitation programme for Macmillan Northern Ireland, and personalised care pathways for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board.
This experience will help the team bring together perspectives from across organisational and professional boundaries and translate complex evidence into practical recommendations for policy, commissioning and service improvement.
Need support with your own social research?
Whether you’re a public body, charity, or organisation looking to understand your audience, evaluate impact, or inform future strategies, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with the M·E·L Research team today via our ‘Get in touch’ form below to see how our expert researchers can support your goals. Alternatively, you can email the team at info@melresearch.co.uk.
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