Local evaluation of Morecambe Bay PACS Vanguard: stage 2 early findings report May 2018

The Better Care Together (BCT) programme in Morecambe Bay is one of 50 vanguard sites developing a new model of care in England. It was allocated £4.59 million in 2015 to deliver a Primary and Acute System (PACS) new model of care, which is being used to bring together health and care providers to improve health and wellbeing. A key part of its work has been the creation of 12 integrated care communities (ICCs) across Morecambe Bay to bring together local health and care organisations. Health and Social Care Evaluations (HASCE) at the University of Cumbria were commissioned to conduct the local evaluation of the BCT vanguard. The local evaluation is now in its second year; in its first year, the emerging changes and their associated outcomes across the vanguard activities was explored through qualitative research. The second year of the evaluation aims to develop a more in-depth and nuanced analysis of what is working for who and why by focusing on a new model of respiratory care developed by the Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network (MBRN). The evaluation has adopted a realist methodology to provide this depth of understanding. The qualitative data collection activities are ongoing and to date 17 interviews with staff involved in the implementation and delivery of the new respiratory care model have been conducted. The emerging findings presented in this interim report are based on this interview data.