ROC Care Systems – nominated for the NHS Hydration pilot 2022

NHS and Costs of Dehydration

This is a very exciting time for ROC Care Systems, as we wait to hear whether we have been selected to run an important pilot in one of the NHS Regions

For some time now, Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and integrated care systems (ICSs) have been looking at how to reduce UTIs and decrease dehydration-related hospital admissions.

NHS England is proposing to work with all seven regions countrywide in finding the most effective way of improving hydration in care settings. They propose running pilots over a two-year period, during which various assistive technologies will be trialled.

The objective is to demonstrate a real and significant reduction in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). They will also be looking at technologies which will free up caregivers’ time by providing a proactive monitoring solution.

This coincides with the ROC objective

Our objective is to provide a digital version of a proven methodology which has had stunning results in the modest trials that we have been able to run. We provide a simple, easy to use App that can be used on the front line by busy and, sadly, often overstretched carers.

If we are indeed selected to run a pilot, we will demonstrate two critical things:

1. The results that we have achieved in a carefully monitored trial in some 35 Care Homes in the South of England, in which a reduction in UTIs alone of over 40% was, will undoubtedly be surpassed through the use of our digital version of this methodology.
2. That with the correct support and training, which we will provide, front-line Carers will be able to adopt a time-saving, reporting and monitoring routine which will actually ease the burden of care

Part of the remit in proposing ROC for trial is to demonstrate that there is no cognitive overload for front line carers. And we have always recognised this at ROC. Like the Apps that we all use in our day-to-day activities, we have designed ROC to be easy, quick to use and intuitive. And it all makes sense as you go along.

For our own part the remit is to demonstrate that ROC also stands for Recognition of Carers. During the pilot, we will provide education and training around all aspects of monitoring Hydration. This is critical for the Carers. They will not simply be asked to adopt ’another new initiative’. They will be shown exactly why and how their contribution to the care given will lead to a significant impact in outcomes. And who wouldn’t want to see their efforts rewarded with a 40% improvement in outcomes?

Our Education Programme around the Causes and Consequences of Dehydration, Sign and Symptoms and several other hydration related topics might eventually lead to front line carers having a better overview of the impact of Low Impact Hydration than other specialists in their respective fields

We hope that, whatever the outcome of our proposal to run a trial, this focus on improving hydration care will lead to real benefits for us all. All the conditions which we highlight as a consequence of insidious dehydration; Urinary Tract Infection leading to Urosepsis, Dizziness leading to Delirium, which in turn might lead to a Fall and fracture requiring surgery, are avoidable and easily prevented with the right support provided to Carers. This is what we intend to demonstrate with ROC.

We have said it before and it is worth repeating, the cost to the health system will only grow if this core issue is not properly addressed.

And looming over all of this is the spectre of Anti-Microbial resistance…. And you should all know our position on this subject.