Autumna partners with PRSB

Autumna, an organisation focused on providing independent and impartial elderly care advice, has become the latest organisation to join the PRSB’s Standards Partnership Scheme.

Launched in 2019, Autumna is now one of the most detailed online directories of elder care providers and retirement living developments in the UK, aimed predominantly at servicing the self-funding care seeker.

“Most important to Autumna, is that care seekers are able to find the impartial and independent information they need to be able to make an informed choice,” explains Debbie Harris, Managing Director of Autumna. “This means formatting the type of information and data they need in a way that is easy to follow, filter and compare.”

“We run an advice line seven days a week and more than 2.25 million people turn to Autumna for guidance and help with their care options, every year. Through feedback we source from them and providers, as well as our growing experience in the care sector, we are constantly refining our service to improve outcomes for users.”

This is one of the primary reasons Autumna has opted to join the Standards Partnership Scheme.

“Our users are predominantly private individuals, but GPs, social workers and hospital discharge teams are using our comprehensive database to improve patient flow. It’s therefore hugely important that Autumna partners with PRSB, to ensure that information provided by our system can be integrated into other databases and systems, to be used by national regulatory bodies and the NHS.”

“Going forward, the interoperability of patient data and systems will be key. PRSB provides the framework, standards and vision to ensure all the touchpoints on the patient journey are clearly recorded and accessible. Our objective is to effectively overcome the societal challenges an ageing population presents, but only through more efficient links between health and social care and between the private and public sector can this be achieved. This is where PRSB standards are so critical.”

Autumna may have only recently enrolled onto the Standards Partnership Scheme, but Harris and her colleagues are already thinking about demonstrating their conformance with PRSB standards.

“We’re eager to go through the assessment process as and when the time is right. The About Me standard stands out as being particularly relevant for our system, but we’re keen also to explore the care homes view of shared care records, hospital referral for assessment for community care and support, information provided by local authorities in shared care records and the urgent transfer from care home to hospital standards.”

Lorraine Foley, PRSB CEO, commented: “Integrating health and social care is of critical importance and an initiative that is supported system-wide. It’s great to hear that Autumna are working to surmount the challenges present in achieving this, but even more encouraging that joining the Standards Partnership Scheme is perceived as an integral step in doing so. I look forward to working with Autumna and embarking on their journey toward conformance.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Autumna provides completely impartial advice and does not take referral fees from providers. It aims to improve transparency and standards across the entire elder care sector. Following its establishment in 2019, over 2 million care seekers each year now access Autumna’s directory of over 26,000 care providers.

To find out more contact Debbie Harris on 01892 335330 or email: debbie@autumna.co.uk