About ENRICH Scotland

Graphic showing the component parts of ENRICH Scotland, as described in the text opposite.

The network brings together care home staff, residents and researchers to facilitate the design and delivery of research, to improve the quality of life, treatments and care for all residents. ENRICH Scotland works closely with NHS Research Scotland's Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, the Ageing Specialty Group and the Primary Care Network, and is co-chaired by Dr Emma Law and Professor Susan Shenkin.

The Forum works collaboratively with NIHR ENRICH, making this uniquely fit for Scottish care homes, to establish which homes are ready to practice research.

There are now two Care Home Innovation Partnerships (CHIPs) working with ENRICH Scotland. The first CHIP was founded in 2018 in Lothian by Dr Jo Hockley and a group of managers from care homes interested in developing care home-led tests of change. This model has proved so successful, it has now been replicated in Glasgow City, with plans for more across Scotland.

Care Homes involved with the Lothian CHIP include St Raphaels; Cluny Lodge; Manor Grange; Braeburn; Chamberlain and Erskine Edinburgh. The Lothian Care Homes website is a useful and up to date resource for finding out more about the current work.

Care Homes involved with the Glasgow City CHIP include Riverside House; Orchard Grove House; Victoria Gardens Care Home; Hawthorn House; and Meadowburn Care Home.

Studies we support

ENRICH Scotland supports a variety of studies taking place across the countries care home landscape. Details of current studies can be found in the listing below.

Exploring Access to controlled drugs (CDs) for palliative and end of life care in UK care homes Show more Show less

A survey is being undertaken in collaboration with Marie Curie and the University of Cambridge, looking at how care homes in the UK access controlled drugs for palliative and end of life care. Any care home staff who have knowledge or experience in the access/management or administration of CDs for palliative and end of life care, are welcome to participate. The survey is likely to take no more than 20 minutes.

The aim of this survey is to inform future policies looking at improving timely access to CDs, and thus prevent suffering caused by delays accessing these. Consultant Pharmacist Emyr Jones talks more about the study in a video, and the link for the survey itself can be found here.

If you would like any more information, please contact Emyr.Jones3@wales.nhs.uk.

CLASP: Reducing/stopping insulin in people who have type-2 diabetes (Tayside only) Show more Show less

This study looks to find a safe approach to stop or simplify insulin treatment in people who are over 70, have type 2 diabetes and are currently on insulin. Participating would involve gradually stopping/reducing insulin and using an alternative medication instead. This would be a tablet or a weekly injection depending on the participant’s choice. Blood sugar levels will be monitored by a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor which would attach the participants arm.

For more information, please contact ylin002@dundee.ac.uk.

What matters to me? (Lothian only) Show more Show less

Clare Halpenny from Edinburgh University is looking to speak to residents about what their experience of moving into a care home was like and how they found the decision making process around this. Participation would involve a conversation with the researcher lasting 45-60 minutes. Ideally, participants would have moved into the care home within the last 12 months.

For more information, please contact clare.halpenny@ed.ac.uk.

Research in Scotland