Studies have shown that as people live longer many more require short or long-term social care.
Independent health think-tank The King’s Fund reported that last year almost two million people sought help from their local council and that figure is likely to continue to grow.
In North Yorkshire, we are addressing this by making use of the latest information and statistical data to ensure services are both efficient and effective.
At the recent Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Research Network Annual Awards, held by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, judges praised the work being carried out by Rachel Murphy, a member of the research team within our health and adult services directorate.
Mrs Murphy was highly commended in the Best Contribution to Research in a Non-NHS setting category.
Seconded from her role as social care mental health service manager, Mrs Murphy has been with the team for the past 12 months, thanks in part to funding from the universities of York and Hull.
“In the past year, I have been driving forward the research agenda,” she said. “An important part of that work has been to raise awareness about what research involves and to encourage more people to take part in it so we can better serve our residents.
“There are very few other councils in the country that have research frameworks like the one we have started to develop.
“In fact, I have been asked by three local authorities to share our framework with them once it is fully implemented so that they can model their approach in the same way.
“I think that was what stood out to the judges, that North Yorkshire is leading the way with the approach we are setting up.”
Mrs Murphy said it was about finding out what most suited residents’ requirements.
“For example, research into digital technology can help people to stay well at home for longer and promote independence and health and wellbeing,” she said.
Among the initiatives that Mrs Murphy and her team have been involved in is the Curiosity Partnership, a four-year National Institute for Health and Care Research-funded collaboration between the universities of York, Hull, Sheffield and Newcastle and local authorities in North Yorkshire, York, Hull and Doncaster.
Those involved use research to understand and address priority areas such as prevention, isolation and staffing within adult social care.
“We’re looking at what we currently know about these issues, where the knowledge gaps are and how research can help,” said Mrs Murphy. “The partnership enables us to bridge the gap between research and practice and has a strong focus on supporting social care staff to become more confident and skilled in using and undertaking research.”
Mrs Murphy said she was “over the moon” to receive the commendation.
“It meant a great deal to get such recognition for the work I’ve been doing and has really motivated me to keep driving forward research within North Yorkshire Council,” she said.
Our executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said research was an important tool at the council’s disposal.
“It is about having the evidence that enables us to learn from what we do and improve on it,” he said. “It’s also about being efficient and effective and knowing what works best.
“Additionally, there’s evidence to show that offering staff the career opportunities to become more active in research helps with recruitment and retention.
“I’d like to congratulate Rachel and her team on their work so far and look forward to them building on this in the future.”
Next month, Mrs Murphy will step back from her research role to begin a three-year PhD in mental health and safeguarding. This has been made possible through a Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship, a programme of investment to develop research practitioners in councils such as ours.
More information about the Curiosity Partnership can be found on their website.