Care Home Data Review - Full Report

Communications

This section covers the communication between data producers and providers. Ways of communicating with data users, to improve accessibility, understanding & insight from data are covered in the Data quality, Insight and Relevance chapter.

A strong theme to emerge from the Care Home Data Review (CHDR) was communication. Particular challenges raised included the need to improve the guidance and support for providing data. Data providers noted that some definitions and recording guidance lack clarity, therefore providers interpret what data is being requested differently. This impacts on both the burden of provision and the usefulness of the data provided. In addition, feedback suggested that submission deadlines are sometimes very tight or unclear and providers suggested that advanced input / notice and improved communication around data collection timetables or sign posting where these are available would be beneficial and allow better planning.

Further communication challenges were raised around the lack of feedback on why data is collected or how it is used. Care Homes, local authorities and HSCPs often felt they were providing data into a ‘black hole’, with no communication about where (or even if) their data was published or what it was used for. Data providers said they wanted to know the purpose and the benefits of each data collection, and to have information shared back, so they could understand the difference their data is making.

HSCPs can reach out to their local LIST (Local Intelligence Support Team, PHS) contact for bespoke analytical support on the availability and use of national and local health and social care data to help meet their needs. LIST undertake a broad range of work with HSCPs that is agreed and prioritised with key contacts in each HSCP area. We need to work to ensure that all data providers are clear of the benefits of data provision.

Clarity for data providers

Good communication is key to the success of any data collection cycle. Data providers need to have a clear understanding of the reasons for each data request and the timescales for submission. Care home residents and the workforce need to have the opportunity to be informed about how and why data about them is being shared (privacy notice).

In order to improve the transparency around data requests across the year and help data providers plan for these requests, national data producers will work together to provide a central care home data hub website with links to all the documents associated with the national care home statistical data collections, including guidance notes, privacy notices, and publications. In addition, national data producers will publish, where possible, annually in advance, timescales for all routine data collections.

The care home analytical community has a vital role in communicating the benefits and impact of Scotland’s care home data assets. This will lead to more insightful evidence to shape decisions around care for residents, the care home workforce and the wider care home sector. To help achieve this, the Care Home Data Working Group will work with the care home analytical community to articulate and share the benefits of care home data (how the data are used to inform policy / operational practice) with the care home sector and the public for example, via the care home data hub website, contributing to newsletters, and in an annual letter to data providers from Scottish Government.

Case study: Listening and learning: A qualitative study of Scottish care home staff experiences of managing COVID-19, Dr Jenni Burton, University of Glasgow

A short video and accompanying single-page infographic were produced to sit alongside the academic paper summarising qualitative research interview findings from the Listening and Learning study. This was done to achieve further impact, wider reach and accessibility of complex findings in a sensitive area.

Communications: Aims and recommendations

Aims: Improve advance notice of collections, guidance notes and documentation relating to data collections.

Recommendations: Create data collection and publication plans that bring together relevant national care home data collection documentation and provide data providers the timetable for all routine data collections throughout the coming year.

Aims: Demonstrate the benefits of care home data (build understanding, inform decision making etc).

Recommendations: Care home analytical community to articulate and share the benefits of care home data with stakeholders, for example, through the data user networks, contributing to Care Inspectorate newsletters, inclusion in an annual letter to data providers from SG.

Aims: Improve knowledge exchange between the care home sector and the care home analytical community and ensure the care home sector has a voice with regards to national data collections, and corresponding outputs.

Recommendations: CHDR partners to work with data provider network to both inform the content and frequency of data collections and consider the desired outputs to be shared back with the sector.

Use data user networks to discuss current outputs and what changes could be made (short, medium & long term). Ensure data outputs meet the needs of as wide a range of stakeholders / uses as possible and improve the understanding of, and outcomes for, people living in care homes.