OPTIMAL: A realistic evaluation of what supports effective health care for care home residents

This poster presents early findings from phase one of OPTIMAL, a 3 year study that asked: 1.What is the range of health service delivery models that provide health care to care home residents? 2.What features of these models are most associated with positive outcomes for residents? The findings summarise what representatives from relatives and residents’ groups, care home organisations, local authorities and the regulator defined as effective health care for care homes. The emerging themes are compared with a review of NHS provision to care homes and research on interventions to improve residents’ access to health care.