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Health

Mapping hospital social work for older people

Purpose

Reducing the number of delayed discharges of older people in hospital and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions is a major policy concern. However, little is known about what is happening in hospital social work and its potential to contribute to improving discharge arrangements and reducing unnecessary readmissions. The purpose of this work was to provide review the evidence on the specific role, activities and costs of social work in hospitals and its impact on the quality of life and care of individuals (patients) and carers.

Jo Moriarty introduced the report on our blog.

Timescale

2018-19

Funding

NIHR Policy Research Programme

Methods

The study involved a systematic mapping of research about hospital social work with older people published between 2000-2018. The findings were shared with a panel of social work academics, service users and carers and practitioners to obtain their views.

Impact

The review findings were shared in a meeting of policymakers and analysts at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Publications

Report

Moriarty, J., Steils, N. & Manthorpe, J. (2019) Mapping Hospital Social Work. London: NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit, The Policy Institute at King's, King's College London.

Article

Steils, N., Moriarty, J., & Manthorpe, J. (2020) The Clarity and Contribution of the Hospital Social Work Role: Observations on its Professional IdentityPractice

Conferences

A presentation on the study methodology was made to the 47th Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology.

Publications

Report

Moriarty, J., Steils, N. & Manthorpe, J. (2019) Mapping Hospital Social Work. London: NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit, The Policy Institute at King's, King's College London.

Article

Steils, N., Moriarty, J., & Manthorpe, J. (2020) The Clarity and Contribution of the Hospital Social Work Role: Observations on its Professional IdentityPractice

Conferences

A presentation on the study methodology was made to the 47th Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology.

Project status: Completed

Principal Investigator