The national project to develop a person centred culture in older persons residential services has recently been completed. 17 Older Person Service sites from across the 4 HSE Areas participated through the leadership of skilled internal and external facilitators. The project was supported by Dr Brendan Mc Cormack and Dr Jan Dewing and funded by the The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery. A final evaluation report 'The implementation of a model of person-centred practice in older person settings' outlines the impact and the learning from this project and was launched in November 2010. Supporting documentation 'Enhancing Care for Older People - A Guide to Practice Development Processes to Support and Enhance Care in Residential Settings for Older People was also launched.

The person centred care final report outlines the achievements and the processes used in this two year practice development programme. This quality improvement programme focused on seventeen residential units where older people live and use on a daily basis.
The programme was a collaborative programme between the HSE, Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units and the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. The aim of the programme was to implement a model of person centred care using a practice development approach which is concentrated on the provision of processes to enable and deliver person-centred, safe and effective healthcare. The programme was inclusive of residents, families/carers, all of the healthcare team and other key stakeholders who are critical to the planning and delivery of care for older people.

Speaking at the event Siobhan O'Halloran said, "The concept of person centred care is a key strategic driver for the health service in Ireland and has particular relevance in the care of the older person. The National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland (Health Information and Quality Authority, 2009) further clarify the need for all of the healthcare team to work towards the provision of a person centred culture."

The involvement of older people and their families was key element to this programme and has provided an opportunity to continue to strive towards this way of working. The programme acknowledges the valuable contribution of each individual participant in "going the extra mile" to achieve excellence in the care of the older person. In her speech the Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, Ms. Aine Brady, TD paid tribute to the work achieved on the programme she said, "The programme offers an exciting opportunity for all healthcare workers, working with older people, to develop more effective person-centred approaches to practice. The programme challenges participants from all grades to achieve the highest standard of person centered care.""It is essential that we begin planning and using the outcomes and evidence gathered to continue to work together to improve the lives for older people, their families and carers and also importantly healthcare team," she added.

Professor Brendan McCormack, Director, Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster, who was one of the project leaders, said"Developing a person centred culture of care is paramount for the future delivery of services. In tandem with this, we have to acknowledge the absolute need to involve older people in their care and also to continue to develop and support the healthcare team in the care journey."

For further information on the report or resource guide, please contact OMNSD Lead: Patrick Glackin, A/Area Director Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development - (057) 93 57861/57866 Email: patrick.glackin@hse.ie