Senectus

The Senectus Strategy

Vision

To establish a centre in the UK for providing an evidence base for services delivering care to older people, and to promote good practice in the assessment of older people to improve their care

Mission

To develop a database of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment data, to act as a resource for health services research in services for older people

Goals

To develop effective assessment processes based primarily on the use of the interRAI MDS assessment system.
To support the implementation of best practice in assessment and use of assessment data.
Provide performance information on a routine basis to subscribers.
To design and execute specific research projects using the Senectus data.
To act as an information resource for accredited UK and international researchers and to provide auditing information for quality assessment.
Develop business activity and opportunities to generate income.
Achieve and sustain a profile as a centre of excellence.

Values

Strategies

1. Establish the Senectus Database

Develop a comprehensive list of all MDS variants and subsections, algorithms and scales using the MDS and the specific fields each requires by May 2003.
In collaboration with AIS systems develop database specifications and Data Dictionary by the end of April 2003.
Identify suitable database software by the end of March 2003.
Construct appropriately normalised tables to be completed by the end of September 2003.
Build data entry and import front end to be completed by the end of September 2003.
Develop reporting routes and corresponding export syntax to start at the beginning of July 2003 and will continue throughout the Senectus Programme.

2. Invest in staff to develop individual potential.

Annual staff appraisal for all research staff to agree objectives will be undertaken and will be completed by the end of June 2003.
Identify with each member of staff a development programme to meet both the programme and individual needs, this will be achieved through regular one to one meetings with the Programme Director and the staff appraisal process.
To develop staff members' research potential and publication record, each member of staff will be encouraged to produce at least one quality publication each year.

3. Develop the Senectus Programme to promote the best use of the Minimum data Set assessment system in the Single Assessment Process (SAP).

To develop effective assessment processes based primarily on the use of the interRAI MDS assessment system, and subsequently develop the profile of the Senectus programme will be an on-going process for the duration of the programme.
Establish a demonstration site in East Kent to illustrate the maximum realisation of the benefits of the introduction of a common standardised assessment across health and social care providers.
To support the implementation of best practice in assessment and use of assessment data the Senectus Programme will deliver training in the use of the MDS and eventually in the use of information generated. To assist this a branded training package will be produced by July 2003.
Develop a communications policy: A potential market for the Senectus data will be identified and a targeted information pack produced and distributed by the end of September 2003. The website will be regularly updated. Organised regular media coverage in the local and national press, including articles in HSJ and Community Care Journals. Presentations at conferences will be given. Routine performance indicator feedback to subscribers will be provided.

4. Develop new evaluation research methodologies

To develop and promote the use of operational research in the NHS the findings of the ICON Project will be disseminated through the Senectus information pack and through publication of the findings in a National journal by the end of December 2003.
Provide a service applying operational research to solve NHS problems, with at least two local projects to be established and on-going by the end of 2003
Develop whole system evaluations of services for older people, leading to service development throughout the duration of the programme.

5. Build research capacity through internal activity

To achieve and sustain a profile as a centre of excellence high quality research is necessary
All staff will review the literature and Department of Health policy to identify possible research topics throughout the duration of the programme to seek potential funding opportunities.
Generate income through responding to calls for research proposals.

6. Build research capacity through external activity

Senectus will act as an information resource for accredited UK and international researchers and to provide auditing information for quality assessment
Senectus has the potential to generate income and also to act as resource for UKC therefore links will be maintained with the CHSS and SPSSR at UKC, through involvement at a departmental level.
Maintain collaboration with AIS Systems, interRAI and the MDS supporters group through regular contact and dissemination of ideas.
Build relationships with current MDS users and identify their needs a database of MDS users will be established by the end of April 2003 and updated as necessary.
Establish the pharmaco-epidemiological capability by September 2003.

7. Improve business activity and opportunities.

To work in partnership with others and develop a reputation as a centre of excellence:
Develop working relationships with other SAP producers; EasyCare and CANE.
Develop a service of report producing for MDS users, to include performance markers and quality checks. Creating a standard report format based on the needs of the users, to be achieved by September 2003.
Establish the centre as a self-finding information provider and research centre by August 2004.