June 11, 2009
Care News
Further to a previous mention re care staff being trained for tasks that are considered nursing e.g. putting eye drops in, medication down a peg, we are still trying to progress.
The situation is that some PCTs are happy to allow a District Nurse to train a care worker for such specific tasks and give a letter of competency for the task for that client only.
However, some PCTs are not happy to do so and where this has happened, we have been unable to assess specific training for such tasks.
We are contacting our insurance (and other insurance companies) to see if we are able to get insurance cover for care staff without the competency letters but the care worker having been trained and this documented.
UKHCA has not been able to assist but do recognise that this problem does affect many of their members.
Age UK is the new name given to the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged.
A recent study of 40,000 nurses featured in Occupational Medicine, claimed 29% of nurses in the UK were subjected to violent episodes once a month or more. Figures published in a NHS Staff Survey highlight the total number of reported physical assaults, not including verbal abuse, on all NHS staff rose from 55,993 in 2006 to 58,695 in 2008, indicating the problem is getting worse.
(Source: Security Park net)
In-House News
Prospective clients have been visited in:Somerset (2), Kent, Wiltshire and Norfolk.
MH refresher training has taken place in the office in Norwich.
A client review meeting has taken place in Berkshire.
New posts have commenced in:
- Nottinghamshire – An elderly lady who is suffering with dementia. Weekly salary is £576.00 inc. Care Manager is Alan on 01603 281916
- Bedfordshire – A lady age 50 who has MS. Salary is £549.00pw inc. Care Manager is Jackie on 01603 281914
- Essex – A lady who is in her late nineties. Weekly salary is £550.00 inc. Care Manager is Jackie on 01603 281914
REMINDER - Personal Accident Insurance
The letters have been sent out to all carers and we would like the forms completed and sent back to us by 24th June. Thank you to all carers who have returned them to date.
The latest Gazette has now been published and if you would like a copy, please give us a ring on 01603 764567.
Interesting Information / Statistics
Many people do not like to approach Social Services offices, and many times when we suggest that a person perhaps should, the reason given sometimes for not doing so is the fear of "being taken over" or "having to tell them everything". The call to a large office making their wish to access even less. There is however a growing trend to making access to a social worker easier and less fearsome.An increasing number of GP practices now have social work staff and care managers on the surgery premises as part of the primary health care and community services team. Some posts may be part time but a call to the local surgery will advise you. This means that you actually can meet with a social worker in surroundings that as a patient you know and feel comfortable with.
Other community health care professionals who may also work within the surgery team are:
- Community Dieticians
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Community Learning Disability Nurses
- Stoma Care Nurses
- Chiropodists/podiatrists and possibly
- Practice Counsellors
- Physiotherapists
- Community Psychiatric Nurses
- District Nurse
- Health Visitors
"My mother is considering moving into a care home. She has several close relatives scattered throughout England and therefore is not too set on any area. However, she has an old dog whom she wishes to take into any care home with her. Is this a possibility?"
Answer : There is an organisation, The Cinnamon Trust, which is a national charity for older people and their pets. They have a register of care homes, care homes with nursing and sheltered accommodation which will accept pets. You can make contact by telephoning 01736 757900 or by going to their website at http://www.cinnamon.org.uk
We hope you have enjoyed reading this and "see you next week".
Best Wishes,
Angela Gifford, Proprietor
Able Community Care.
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Able Community Care
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Norwich, Norfolk NR14 8TZ, United Kingdom
Opening Hours:
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Tel: +44 (0)1603 764567 | Fax: +44 (0)1603 761655 | Email: ablemg@aol.com
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