Introduction
A piece of exploratory work was conducted in February-May 2016. The aim was to help to inform a locally appropriate evaluation for the Gateshead programme, by identifying some of the key issues, approaches and questions. The study consisted of qualitative interviews, a rapid review of integrated health and social care programmes, and a workshop with stakeholders, underpinned by realist evaluation and normalisation process theories. 
 
The objectives were
1. To identify priorities for evaluation of the Gateshead care home Vanguard, by exploring stakeholders’ understanding, perceptions and expectations of the changes, barriers and facilitators to implementation and mechanisms of influence on local care.
2. To identify approaches to the evaluation of integrated health and social care programmes in the published literature between 2006 - 2016, and describe the data collected.
 
The findings have been submitted for publication. A link will be available shortly.