A new way of caring for older people in the community

The government's modernisation agenda is challenging traditional practice by introducing new roles and concepts to meet the increasing healthcare needs of the older population and those with long-term conditions. Over the past two years several national pilots have been trialled to examine different models of managing care for these groups. One is the Evercare model, a case management approach to the delivery of care in the community for older people. This article focuses on a cohort of 12 nurses from three local primary care trusts who participated in the national Evercare pilot project from July 2003-April 2005. It examines the context for change, explores and appraises the development of a new role, and evaluates the educational partnership developed with a local university.