The community matron care homes team (CHT) was set up in Sandwell, West Midlands in 2011 to support care home staff to manage residents’ care safely and reduce unplanned and/or avoidable use of acute health services. The service was reviewed in 2015 and attention focused on care homes with the highest levels of hospital use and emergency 999 services.

Working with these care home staff and health professionals, a training and education opportunity to aid staff to manage residents in crisis was sourced, organised and implemented. The outcome of this training was positive: it demonstrated a reduction in hospital attendances and admissions and an increase in the confidence and morale of care home staff.

The community matron CHT won the Nursing Older People category of the RCNi Nurse Awards in May 2017. This award has resulted in the team’s profile being raised, and the team being asked to participate in further initiatives to provide enhanced support for care homes.