Enable safer, more independent care while unlocking workforce capacity across your health and social care system.
Transforme Care Delivery with
Optimal Handed Care
Care Systems Are Under Pressure— But Care Models Haven’t Evolved Fast Enough
Double-handed care has become a default — not because it is always needed, but because systems lack the confidence, tools and governance to do things differently.
Demand for care continues to rise while workforce availability struggles to keep pace. At the same time, hospital discharge pathways are under pressure, and local authorities must ensure services remain sustainable for the long term.
Many care packages are created with two carers where one may be sufficient with the right assessment, equipment, and techniques. Optimal Handed Care changes this.
Optimally Handed Care offers a different way forward.
Rather than assuming more support is always better, the focus shifts to understanding what people can safely do, what support they genuinely need, and how equipment, environment, and technique can enable safer, proportionate care.
Why Optimal Handed Care Matters
At its core is a simple principle - Care should enable people, not unintentionally limit them.
Optimal Handed Care (OHC) is about delivering the right level of support by the right number of carers at the right time, in line with a person’s functional ability, safety and goals.
This approach does not reduce safety. Instead, it strengthens decision-making by ensuring care packages are based on careful functional assessment and person-centred planning.
When implemented well, Optimally Handed Care supports:
greater independence for individuals
improved safety and confidence for staff
more sustainable care capacity across the system
It represents a shift in mindset — from dependency-based care models toward empowerment and independence.
For Care Staff
Improved training and equipment use can reduce physical strain and strengthen confidence in delivering care safely.
For Individuals Receiving Care
the experience often feels more dignified and empowering. Maintaining independence in everyday activities can support both physical wellbeing and confidence.
For Organisations
the impact can be significant — improving care capacity, supporting hospital discharge pathways, and ensuring resources are used effectively.
Why OHC often fails
to scale
OHC is not a training programme — it is a system change
Many systems have tried OHC — but impact is often short-lived because:
Training happens before systems are ready
Equipment, workforce and commissioning are misaligned
There is no shared risk framework across organisations
Leadership ownership and accountability are unclear
Data is not used to track impact or sustain change
How We Support Implementation
We help systems do this properly and make it stick.
We support systems to move from isolated pilots to a safe, governed and scalable OHC model.
Our approach:
Is grounded in the National High Impact Change Model (HICM)
Is informed by delivery across multiple systems
Focuses on readiness, confidence and sustainability
Walks alongside local leaders, clinicians and providers
Discover Your Optimally Handed Care Maturity
Our Optimally Handed Care Maturity Matrix helps organisations assess how effectively independence-focused care is embedded across their system.
Get in Touch
Ready to Explore Optimally Handed Care for Your Organisation?
.Book a consultation with us to explore your organisation’s goals, current challenges, and opportunities for transformation with Optimal Handed Care.
