Case Study: East of England NHS – Reducing Avoidable Learning Disability & Autism Inpatient Admissions

The Challenge

The East of England NHS Region set an ambitious goal to achieve zero avoidable episodes of inpatient care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism (LD&A). Despite outperforming national targets for adults, the Region acknowledged the historical lack of coherent services and attention for this population. With a rising number of children diagnosed with autism, the Region was determined to significantly improve life experiences and outcomes for those living with LD&A.

Our Approach

Tricordant collaborated closely with a diverse range of stakeholders across the Region’s integrated care systems. Through an initial discovery phase, we identified key challenges surrounding prevention, crisis management, transition points, and fragmented services.

By aligning diverse perspectives and facilitating consensus, we co-developed a set of strategic recommendations aimed at enabling system-wide transformation. These recommendations spanned from enhancing support during life transitions and pioneering person-centred data models to investing in innovative community and inpatient care models. Our approach provided a roadmap for evidence-based change.

Tricordant’s recommendations integrated prevention and early intervention strategies with coordinated commissioning processes, underpinned by robust data and demand/capacity modelling.

The Results

Tricordant’s recommendations served as the strategic framework for a region-wide approach to delivering meaningful, sustainable results for people living with LD&A. By designing effective governance structures and nurturing collaborative partnerships, we empowered the region to drive long-term, positive change.

Tricordant navigated complex stakeholder landscapes to facilitate the development of a regional platform for sharing best practices, supporting good governance, and disseminating learning – embedding resilient new ways of working across the system.

The East of England NHS Region is now well-positioned to make significant strides towards eliminating avoidable LD&A inpatient admissions. Tricordant’s strategic guidance and collaborative approach have laid the groundwork for a transformative shift in the experiences and outcomes of this underserved population.

Download