HC-One’s Adelaide House care home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, recently welcomed representatives from leading health and social care organisations for a national VIVALDI Social Care visit, highlighting how research and data are helping to improve quality, safety and wellbeing across care homes.
Held on Wednesday 12th November, the visit brought together experts and leaders from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Care Quality Commission (CQC), Care England, University College London (UCL), NHS England (NHSE), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils (SCNACs) and The Outstanding Society CIC.
The event formed part of the Adult Social Care Engagement Collective (ASCEC), which brings together professionals, residents, relatives and researchers to share insights that will shape the future of adult social care.
HC-One representatives included Rebecca Condie, Area Director, and Anna Selby, Executive Director for Quality, who joined colleagues, residents and visitors throughout the day.
A day focused on collaboration, learning and research in care
The visit opened with a welcome from Slawomir Janik, Home Manager at Adelaide House, followed by a presentation from the VIVALDI Social Care team introducing the project’s aims and progress so far.
The VIVALDI Social Care project, funded by UKHSA and NIHR, has now onboarded over 668 care homes, representing more than 36,000 beds—around 8% of the adult social care sector. The initiative aims to build one of the most comprehensive datasets in social care, enabling providers and policymakers to better understand infection trends, support early intervention (including UTIs), and make evidence-based improvements to care delivery.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC, shared reflections on the importance of embedding research in social care before opening the floor for wider discussion.
Reflections from attendees
Slawomir Janik, Home Manager at Adelaide House, said:
“It’s an honour to host VIVALDI Social Care’s visit and to be part of a project driving genuine improvement across social care. At Adelaide House, research is helping us provide safer, more personalised care, and it’s inspiring to see so many organisations working together to make a difference.”
Vickie Longstaff, Head of Infection Prevention and Control at HC-One, shared:
“We’re delighted that Adelaide House could showcase the progress being made through the VIVALDI Social Care project. HC-One is proud to play a part in this collaboration, which ensures care decisions are guided by evidence and real experiences.”
Professor Laura Shallcross, MBE, UCL:
“A wonderful day at Adelaide House demonstrating huge enthusiasm for research in social care and what can be achieved when the sector works in partnership.”
Zoe Fry, OBE, The Outstanding Society CIC:
“We were delighted to visit Adelaide House and are grateful to the team for their warm welcome.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, DHSC and NIHR:
“Engagement, data and research give us the evidence base to target care more effectively, especially in preventing and treating UTIs. This work makes a real difference to residents and families.”
Kate Meacock, Rights for Residents, added:
“Speaking with residents and colleagues gave invaluable insight into how VIVALDI is being used in practice. A truly wonderful day.”
Strengthening care through evidence and partnership
This visit demonstrated the important role that Adelaide House and HC-One continue to play in national research, helping shape safer, more personalised and more effective care.
Through strong partnerships with academic, clinical and regulatory bodies, HC-One remains committed to supporting evidence-based practice across our family of care homes.
Use our helpful care home search tool to find out more about HC-One homes in your area, or contact our kind, caring team today.