Faster treatment for care home residents across Glasgow

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)’s Care Home Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Team has made a real difference to how urgent care is delivered in residential care homes.

The team can now give the first dose of antibiotics at the point of assessment, rather than waiting for treatment to start later. This means residents get the care they need more quickly and avoids unnecessary delays.

Pauline Ward, Professional Nurse Lead for Advanced Practice in Older People’s Services, said: “Treatment can now start straight after assessment. This means residents receive the right care at the right time. For frail older adults, even short delays can lead to a decline in health, hospital admission and distress for residents and their families.”

Between June 2025 and January 2026, the Care Home ANP Team gave 232 first doses of antibiotics and helped prevent 79 hospital admissions. This reduced avoidable hospital stays and improved safe, timely care for residents across HSCP care homes.

The work has also been recognised more widely. The initiative was shortlisted in our HSCP Staff Awards for Excellence in the Innovation category. It also gained national attention after winning People’s Choice Best Poster at the Advancing Care, Advancing Practice Conference in August 2026.

This project shows how simple, well planned changes can improve safety, dignity and outcomes for care home residents, while also supporting staff and reducing pressure on hospital services. The difference this approach makes is clear from feedback.

One resident’s daughter said: “Knowing mum got her antibiotics straight away, without having to go to hospital, was such a relief. She stayed comfortable in her own room and recovered well. We’re so grateful for the care.”

Care home staff also shared how helpful the change has been: “Having antibiotics available immediately makes a real difference. Residents start to feel better much quicker, and it reduces anxiety in the home.”

ANPs highlighted the benefits too: “Being able to act quickly at assessment has helped prevent people becoming more unwell and avoided unnecessary hospital admissions.”