Costing the hospital-based process of resettling people with learning disability in the community

Objectives: Much has been written about the costs and cost-effectiveness of community care for people with learning disabilities resettled from long stay hospital care. However, comparatively little has been published about the cost of hospital services relating to the preparatory process before eventual resettlement and the disengagement of formal, sustained input from hospital staff. This study describes and costs the input provided by a hospital based multi-disciplinary team into the resettlement of adults with learning disabilities, from long stay wards in Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Northern Ireland between 1996 and 1999 (n = 71).

Stroke presentation and hospital management: comparison of neighbouring healthcare systems with differing health policies.

Background: Acute stroke care is shaped by healthcare policies. Differing policies in similar populations allow for assessment of policy impact on health and healthcare outcomes. Aims: To compare stroke presentation and hospital care in two adjacent healthcare systems with differing healthcare policies. Methods: Interviews and chart review of consecutive acute stroke admissions in Northern Ireland (n=103) and the Republic of Ireland (n=100). Results: Marked regional contrasts were evident for key aspects of hospital care. Northern Ireland performed significantly better on 15 of 16 quality of care (Sentinel Audit) items. Delivery on standards was significantly better in Northern Ireland for early assessment (Northern Ireland 72%; Republic of Ireland 54%, p