Support to the Slovenian authorities with the implementation of an integrated system for long-term care (LTC) in Slovenia

BACKGROUND

The Slovenian government has put the reform of long-term care (LTC) high on the agenda of the on-going legislative period. To match this rising demand with an appropriate supply of high-quality LTC services, an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of care provision is needed. This can be partly achieved by implementing an integrated care approach in the provision of LTC services. Consequently, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in coordination with the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MoL) has steered the LTC reform with one main goal - to implement integrated care. Related legislative preparations have been taken, including the creation of an integrated network of formal care providers, informal caregivers, volunteers and other relevant stakeholders providing coordinated LTC services in the communities. This entails the establishment of easily accessible one-stop shops in order to enable users to access LTC services and the integrated network to deliver coordinated services. LTC providers will be responsible for employing care coordinators whose task will be to agree upon integrated care plans with users and to activate existing resources (informal carers, local infrastructure etc.) in the community.

AIMS

The specific objective of the European Centre’s technical assistance is to contribute to the implementation of the pilot to support the transition toward an integrated system of long-term care and to the evaluation of its short-term effects (baseline assessment) by taking into account good practices and lessons learned by other countries in addressing similar situations. The expected results will be a baseline assessment report and a prepared team of experts with sufficient skills and know-how for further monitoring and evaluating the pilot project in the perspective of its potential further national roll-out.

METHODS

• Train-the-trainer module with supporting manual and evaluation tools (training design for care coordinators, interview schemes, data base, protocol for baseline assessment)
• Quantitative methods to study the differential effect of the pilot recipients' (treatment) group versus the comparison group
• Quantitative analysis of baseline assessment
• Report

ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES

• Two Workshops with the team of Slovenian experts
• Manual for monitoring and evaluating the pilot project
• Training material
• Evaluation report
• Final report