Excellence Network project grant outcomes showcase
Explore the projects completed through funding from the Excellence Network project grants scheme.
This showcase presents an overview of each completed project. Read on to learn more about how these service improvement initiatives were implemented, the outcomes they’ve had, and their promising impact on the Parkinson’s community.
To find out more about any of the projects or to connect directly with the project leads, email [email protected].
'Start right; stay well' - developing a swallow screening tool: large grant project
Who we are
Hannah Hornby, Speech and Language Therapist
Justine Green, Acute Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead
Jane Neal, Governance Pharmacist and Medication Safety Officer
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
What we wanted to achieve
We aimed to improve the quality and experience of care provided for patients with Parkinson’s in the Emergency Department (ED) by developing a robust swallow screening tool.
What we did
We reviewed and analysed existing swallow screen tools to identify which elements were suitable for the tool. A wide group of stakeholders, including people with Parkinson's, were engaged to inform the development.
We carried out observations and shadowing in the ED to identify the patient journey, potential barriers, and opportunities to embed the tool in that environment, including staff training.
Next came a pre-pilot trial, and using the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle of change, we improved the tool and put in practice its final version: the Swallow Screening tool for patients with Parkinson’s in ED (SSPED). This consisted of:
- Basic SSPED
- Enhanced/out of hours SSPED
- SSPED for ambulatory patients
What we learned
Data analysis showed that when the SSPED was used alongside other improvement initiatives within the Trust, patients with Parkinson's experienced:
Reduced:
- length of hospital stay
- time to speech and language therapy referral
- risk of aspiration
- time to nutrition, hydration and medication
- time to alternative nutrition and hydration
Improved:
- quality of care
- patient experience
We identified the need for a sustainability plan to cascade the implementation and impact of the SSPED. This includes an annual audit, ongoing staff training and rolling out the tool in other local hospital sites.
Parkinson's Beats: small grant project
Who we are
Julie Jones, Associate Dean in the School of Health Science, Robert Gordon University
J. Yoon Irons, Associate Professor of Arts for Health and Wellbeing, University of Derby
Alison Williams and Jo Holland, Parkinson's UK Edinburgh Branch
What we wanted to achieve
We aimed to evaluate the experiences of the people with Parkinson's who participated in Parkinson's Beats (cardio-drumming sessions, adapted specifically for people with Parkinson's), using surveys and focus groups, with a focus on health, quality of life and wellbeing indicators.
What we did
33 people with Parkinson's took part in the regular Parkinson’s Beats sessions in-person or online. We held focus group discussions with them after 12 weeks to understand the impact of the sessions.
What we learned
People with Parkinson’s who participated in the sessions reported a range of benefits from Parkinson’s Beats, including increased exercise self-efficacy, improved movement, enhanced mood and social wellbeing, and the "flow" experience. Perceived improvements in motor symptoms and skills were reported. A few barriers to participation were also identified.
Future research is justified, and best practice guidelines are needed to inform healthcare professionals, people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers
Based on the success of this project, we have been working with Parkinson's UK to secure new funding to deliver Parkinson’s Beats training to exercise professionals to enable more more people with Parkinson’s to benefit from this novel approach to exercise
Redeveloping PDMedCalc: small grant project
Who we are
James Fisher, Consultant Geriatrician, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Charlotte Scott, Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust
John Ennew, CTO Digital Experience, TPX Impact
What we wanted to achieve
PDMedCalc is an online medication calculator used to guide and assist with conversion of a person’s Parkinson’s medication to a non oral form. Since its launch in July 2015, it has been widely adopted. However, feedback had suggested that the user interface was dated and that this had led to some users having difficulty interpreting and implementing the suggested doses generated by the tool.
What we did
Working in collaboration with developers, TPX Impact, we redesigned and redeveloped the calculator. We undertook extensive safety testing with local clinicians and pharmacy colleagues to address some of the concerns that had been raised, with the overarching aim of improving its safety and usability. Drawing on IT design principles, we enhanced the readability and accessibility of the tool.
What we learned
The nature of the calculator meant that it was necessary to obtain registration as a Class 1 medical device with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). We obtained this registration for PDMedCalc after completing all of the necessary processes.
The Excellence Network Grants team is happy to provide further information on any of these projects, or put you in touch with the project leads. Email them at [email protected].
Excellence Network project grants
Do you have a service improvement or delivery project idea? Visit the Excellence Network project grants scheme page to see if it is eligible for funding.