Over the past few years there have been a number of evaluations of the effectiveness of Healthy Outlook®. This is a part of an ongoing assessment process. We believe this to be an essential aspect of the development of the service and have made changes to Healthy Outlook® as a result.

Healthy Outlook® patient survey results

We commissioned an independent Patient survey of 7,653 patients who used the Healthy Outlook® service in Winter 2008/9. The survey questions were put together with help from Birmingham University. Bristol University advised on the overall evaluation approach.

Staff satisfaction survey

We undertook a Staff satisfaction survey of 313 members of staff to find out satisfaction with Healthy Outlook® in Winter 2008/9.

Proven success with Healthy Outlook® - NHS Bath and North East Somerset

Healthy Outlook® was piloted by 11 practices within NHS Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) from November 2008 to March 2010.

Practices that took part in the pilot experienced a 51% decrease in emergency admissions, whilst practices that did not take part saw an increase of 1%.

"This reduction equates to 94 emergency spells and a potential saving of £235,000." Karen Grant, Commissioner for COPD & Diabetes, Bath and North Somerset PCT

The service was very well received by B&NES patients, with 85% stating that they would like to receive the service next year.

Healthy Outlook case study - NHS Bath and North East Somerset (PDF, 590 kB)

Proven success with Healthy Outlook® - Moray CHP

An evaluation of Healthy Outlook® in Moray for Winter 2009/10 has reinforced the strong benefits of the service. 50% of respondents reported having had no hospital admissions compared to previous years, generating a potential saving of approximately 40 emergency admissions. Based on the average length of hospital stay for Moray, this represents a financial saving of around £179,100.

Importantly, 82% of patients surveyed stated that the service helped them to better manage their COPD. Following the success of Healthy Outlook®, Moray CHP has commissioned the Met Office to provide the service for a further year.

" The service represents a sound 'spend to save' initiative for the NHS and supports the longer-term aims of Scotland's Long Term Conditions Collaborative." Lorna Bernard, Telehealthcare Strategy Manager, Moray CHP

Healthy Outlook case study - Moray Community Health Partnership (PDF, 595 kB)

Exeter randomised controlled trial

Funded by Astra Zeneca.

Seventy-seven patients in Devon were selected to participate in a community-based trial. All were give the Met Office Healthy Outlook® patient packs, but 38 were randomised to receive the alert calls.

The patient's condition was evaluated on a daily basis throughout the trial and the number of exacerbations recorded.

The results showed that the forecast accurately predicted periods of higher risk and that exacerbations rates were lower for those in receipt of the calls (approx. 20%).

Full results have been submitted for publication.

North Yorkshire and York PCT patient level evaluation

This was a study carried out by the PCT.

Twenty-two practices in York took part. Of 2,835 patients 1,549 signed up to receive the service. Hospital admission records for those using the service were compared against those not in receipt of the calls.

The results showed that admissions were 20% lower for those using the service than for those that did not.

Finland randomised controlled trial

This study is being conducted by the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Tampere.

This ongoing two-year study is looking at 520 patients recruited from hospital clinics. Exacerbations, hospital admissions and GP visits are recorded for both the intervention group (i.e. those receiving alerts) and the control group.

First-year results showed that the interventions group had 20% less exacerbations, 32% fewer hospital admissions and 10% fewer GP visits than the control group.

Analysis of hospital admissions

This was a Met Office evaluation.

For the winters of 2006/7 and 2007/8, we analysed hospital admissions data to measure the effect of Healthy Outlook® on hospital admissions. We evaluated results from 30 Primary Care Trusts and found an average national reduction in admissions of 20%.

For more information please contact the Health Team - health@metoffice.gov.uk