title: Benefits of case management lack evidence-based research support.
abstract: Case management for frail elderly people was recently introduced into the NHS through the Evercare pilot projects and subsequently became a key component of the national community matron policy. Case management aims to improve outcomes in patients and, in particular, to reduce unplanned hospital admissions. The evidence suggests that access to case management has added more frequent contact, regular monitoring, psychosocial support and a range of referral options that had not previously been provided. But researchers found no evidence of significant impact on emergency admission, bed days, or mortality in high risk cohorts. They conclude that, although community matrons are likely to be popular with patients and improve access to care, a radical redesign would be needed before the system was effective in reducing hospital admissions.