PJ Care Wins ‘Bulbies’ Award for Project’s Potential

A research partnership that aims to transform the assessment and care of residents who lack capacity has been recognised for its potential.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between neurological care providers, PJ Care, and the University of Leicester, was named the project with ‘Potential for Greatest Impact’ at the ‘Bulbies’; a KTP showcase at the University’s business school.

PJ Care runs three neurological care centres; two in Milton Keynes and one in Peterborough, which are home to adults with progressive conditions and acquired brain injuries. Clinical Research Associate and Business Analyst, Zehra Turel, accepted the award on behalf of the project team.

“We are delighted to have won this award,” she said. “The event was a great opportunity to present the innovation, challenges and the resulting impact of the project, which we feel could transform care, not just for residents at PJ Care, but across the sector.”

The ‘Celebration of Leicestershire KTPs’ event was the first of its kind held by the university, together with De Montfort University and Loughborough University. Projects were judged by students, academics and companies involved in the KTPs. Zehra, who holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Leicester, is working alongside Professor John Maltby and Professor Elizabeta Mukaetova-Ladinska of Leicester’s School of Psychology and Vision Sciences. Project lead is Dr Allan Perry, Director of Clinical Services and Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist at PJ Care.

“It’s fantastic that the potential of this research has been recognised. This is a unique project that could be transformative for how we understand the wellbeing of people who cannot tell us how they feel or their overall sense of wellbeing. Our aim is to refine an assessment tool and data analysis process that can give reliable wellbeing metrics. This will allow for much more tailored care for individuals who can’t readily communicate their feelings and experiences.”

The new assessment tool Zehra has developed is live on PJ Care’s digital care planning system and data capture is ongoing that will allow analysis and refinement of the assessment. Updates and issues are discussed at regular KTP Steering Group meetings.

This is a 30 month project and the research team are well underway towards a new understanding of how to capture data in a crucial area of wellbeing which has previously been impenetrable. A technical report and performance review will be completed before the end of the year, ahead of introducing the assessment protocol to the wider care sector.