Our new research strategy sets out our vision that by 2020 all our services will be able to offer the people we care for the opportunity to take part in research and reflects our commitment to continue to improve the care we provide.
Kent research projects
Adding to social capital and individual potential in disadvantaged regions.
Sexual health in the over forty-fives.
Transforming integrated care in the community.
Medway research projects
These projects were funded by awards given to Medway Community Healthcare (MCH).
How did it all start?
More than 3.7 million Euros (approximately £3m) of European funding was secured by a cross-border partnership to develop a four year cross-European approach to providing better care for the elderly and people living with dementia.
Called ‘CASCADE’, and involving ten partners; this latest initiative saw the construction of two new facilities for the elderly and for people living with dementia to create a Centre of Excellence for dementia sufferers across the partner regions. The aim was to provide training for 2,500 people, care for 2,700 people with an anticipated cost saving of 11.6 million Euros based upon the reduction of length of stay in hospitals.
Medway Community Healthcare was very pleased to be part of this project and develop a small scale care facility for elderly people living with dementia, that provided respite care within our local community.
The CASCADE project was approved and funded by the EU Interreg 2 Seas programme 2017-2023 (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund).
A bit about the project
MCH were one of ten partners across the UK and Europe developing a new and innovative model of enablement, empowerment and integration to provide care for people living with dementia. Harmony House was part of the wider CASCADE project which was funded by the EU Interreg 2 Seas programme 2017-2023, and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Total project value: 12,573,153.15 euros
ERDF value: 7,543,891.89 euros
What did we offer?
Our promise at Harmony House, was to provide our patients with personally tailored support that met their individual needs, whatever they might be. Our service was provided by highly-trained staff who were committed to making even the shortest of stays a positive experience. We encouraged people staying with us to take full advantage of the rehabilitation and social activities provided, and to see their time with us as a chance to meet new people and try new activities.
Our location next to ourZone in Pattens Lane, Rochester, enabled our patients to use the facilities within the ourZone centre. These facilities were refurbished and include a gym, an IT suite, hairdresser and many more, together with expert support to make best use of them.
To ensure we continued to improve and make best use of modern technology to support our patients, we explored the use of telecare systems to support people. The use of telecare (technologies such as remote monitoring and emergency alarms), allowed our patients to become more independent whilst assuring us that they were safe and well.
Implementation site videos
MCH is also delighted to share with you the four CASCADE implementation site videos, which demonstrate how each of the sites have implemented the CASCADE ways of working.
- Holy Hart – Een blik op onze afdeling voor bewoners met dementie 2(opens in new tab)
- Emmaus: A day in the life of people living with dementia in Ten Kerselaere(opens in new tab)
- Harmony House(opens in new tab)
- Harmonia Village(opens in new tab)
Evaluation report
What was the DWELL (Diabetes and WELLbeing) project?
More than €2.3m (£3.9m) of European funding was secured by a cross-border partnership to develop a cross-European approach to tackling Type 2 diabetes. The project, called ‘DWELL’ which finished on 31 March 2023 involved eight partners from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and France.
A 12-week patient support programme and a training package for staff to deliver the programme was designed by, and implemented in, all four countries represented in the partnership. Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) was one of the UK partners and delivered the programme in Medway.
The programme enabled people living with type 2 diabetes in these countries to access extensive support, empowering them to self-manage their condition and improve their wellbeing
As a result of improving the long-term health and wellbeing of people living with type 2 diabetes, it is estimated that the project will see a 30% per person reduction to state-funded health services per year -anticipated at €1.25m (£1.09m) per 1,000 patients per year.
The DWELL project was approved and funded by the EU Interreg 2 Seas Programme 2014-2020 (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund).
The DWELL project was formally adopted in the UK onto the NiHR portfolio IRAS ID 232622. Research Ethics Committee Ref 17/LO/1480.
What did DWELL include?
1-2-1 motivational conversations to help people set their goals
Well-being activities and support to help overcome the hurdles that make change tricky.
Information sessions about type 2 diabetes to make sure people have got the facts.
The programme was facilitated by people with extensive knowledge of diabetes to small groups of people with type 2 diabetes in a non-clinical environment conducive to adult learning. Plenty of time was allowed to share experiences, to ask questions and for laughter. Peer support was an important element and some participants went on to become DWELL Ambassadors. They supported the DWELL project in a wide range of ways.
What were the results?
What is the legacy of DWELL in Medway?
Following the end of the funding from the European Regional Development Fund MCH was successful in securing funding to deliver DWELL for a further year in Medway and Swale. MCH is currently looking at ways to continue DWELL in Medway.
Implementation videos
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