How we saved Mid and South Essex ICB £700,000

Outline of the Case Study

Back in 2012 KC was injured in an accident which lead to a severe spinal injury.  This led to a care package being set up which included 4 carers to be able to turn him for repositioning and personal care every 2 hours.  In 2017 Mid and South Essex ICB took over the care package under CHC funding.  When they took over the package it was costing £177,424 per year.  This was when the TurnAid Lateral Turning System was introduced.

What is the TurnAid Lateral Turning System?

The TurnAid Lateral Turning System is designed to promote single handed care for complex care cases.  It has a safe working load of 350kg (55 stone) and can be fitted to many different community care beds.  The system replaces the side rails of the bed and has a motorised roller on both sides.  By swiveling the sides the carer can easily turn and reposition the service user with very little intervention.  There is a foot control as well as a handset.  This allows the carer to have both their hands free to ensure the service user is comfortable and in the correct position.  Once the service user has been turned the side rails can be lowered to allow the carer to get in closer to carry out tasks such as personal care.  For more information please visit the TurnAid Product Page.

TurnAid in the bed rail position on both sides
TurnAid in the bed rail position on the far side and folded position on the near side
TurnAid in the working position on the far side and folded position on the near side

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outcome and calculations of savings

Mid and South Essex ICB were able to reduce the care package from 4 carers to just 1 carer and the service users wife.  This calculated to a cost saving of around £100,000 per year.  Over 7 years the cost savings for the ICB are around £700,000.

The cost of the equipment was around £5,500 and it was replaced during the 7 years bringing a total of the equipment needs of around £11,000.  This is just 1.5% of the cost savings that were realised.

TurnAid installed on a service users bed with carer

Other benefits other than cost savings included:

  • Wife was very appreciative that she was able to assist with her husbands care.
  • There was a lower footfall through the house which gave increased dignity for the service user.
  • Being only one carer meant that they interacted with the service user rather than talking to each other.
  • The service user had much more comfortable care due to a smooth turn.
  • The turns every 2 hours were much quicker and less of a disturbance to the service user.

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