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The Rural Services Network (RSN) is thrilled to announce the National Rural Conference 2024, taking place from 16th to 19th September. This virtual event, accessible via Zoom, is the premier gathering for senior officers, members, policymakers, and rural service professionals.
Further information and booking details can be found here
The recent multi-site evaluation of Local Area Coordination (LAC) in England and Wales, funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research and conducted in collaboration with leading universities, presents significant findings that underscore the transformative power of this approach. This research, published last week, is a landmark study, providing a comprehensive understanding of how LAC can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and communities.
The study, undertaken by the Universities of Hull, Sheffield, York, Exeter, and Leeds, is the first of its kind to evaluate the LAC approach across multiple sites. It highlights the substantial benefits of LAC at individual, community, and systemic levels, showcasing its potential to revolutionise the way we think about and deliver preventive care.
The research employed a Participatory Action Research approach, combining system and ward-level analysis, life stories, Qualitative Comparative Analysis, and a Nested Economic Study. These methods provided a holistic view of LAC’s impact and highlighted several critical aspects:
Rural communities face unique challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging population, and healthcare workforce shortages. The findings from this study are particularly relevant to rural settings, where these challenges can significantly impede access to care.
LAC Coordinators act as connectors, ensuring that rural residents can access necessary services and support despite geographical barriers. By fostering local connections and support networks, LAC helps build resilient communities that can support their members more effectively. The emphasis on early intervention and continuous support aligns well with the needs of rural populations, where accessing timely care can often be difficult.
The multi-site evaluation of Local Area Coordination provides compelling evidence of its effectiveness in transforming lives and communities.
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