Introduction The Project ECHO model improves knowledge and understanding of multiple topics across care settings, taking a collaborative ‘all teacher - all learner’ approach. The Scottish Government healthcare framework – ‘My health, my care, my home’ (2022) - recommended development and embedding of ECHO hubs in every health and social care area in Scotland. Highland Hospice, a super hub, received government funding and launched Project ECHO Care Homes in May 2023 with four ECHO hubs being established including Highland Hospice and East Ayrshire - The Ayrshire Hospice. The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) evaluated this using the TiDieR framework.

Background ‘My health, my care, my home’ discusses that 72% of care home managers believed new skills needs will develop over the next five years that existing qualifications won’t address.

Over three quarters (79%) of our online survey responses from care home team members highlighted a lack of protected time for staff to undertake training and practice development.

Method

• Collaboration with Highland Hospice enabled facilitation training of Ayrshire Project lead and two educators.

• ECHO sessions devised with collaborative decisions on topics.

• Social care staff attend and contribute case–based questions.

• University of the Highlands and Islands post programme evaluation.

Results 46 individual attendees. 70 views of recordings. 81 instances attendance. Clear indications of benefits to care home residents.

Conclusion Increasing complexity of residents and reduced staffing availability in care homes necessitate new ways of educating and supporting care home staff. Project ECHO Care Homes was launched in May 2023 with the aim of strengthening and building practice in care homes in Scotland. Whilst too early to determine whether this aim has been achieved, this evaluation indicates that the care home staff reports of ECHO so far suggest clear benefits for care home staff, and ultimately residents.