Delivering dignity in our services

Yesterday a draft report was published Delivering dignity. http://www.nhsconfed.org/Documents/dignity.pdf It sets out what good looks like when it comes to the care of older people whether in hospital or in a care home. It makes 10 key recommendations for care homes. There are eight that directly pertain to care home providers and are within our ability to influence. It does seem that there are a plethora of reports about the care of older people and what should be done. Much of what is recommended does not necessarily cost much but is about the values of those caring for the older person. It was put well on Radio 4 by Sir Keith Pearson, Chair of the NHS Confederation who said recruit for value but train for skills. At our Trust, that is what we try to do. We do not always get it right but we are clear that compassion and understanding is something more innate in the individual that you cannot necessarily teach but you can train someone how to lift or bathe someone.

The report is timely as we will endeavour to inform our plans for the coming year to ensure that those who have chosen to live with us have happy and fulfilling lives. The eight pertinent recommendations are:
· to involve older people to shape their daily lives,
· to build links with the local community and develop a culture of openness,
· to invest in technology to improve the quality of care,
· all staff must put the person who they are caring for first and challenge poor practice,
· managers should be well trained,
· buildings should be fit for the purpose of caring of older people,
· access to medical care is as important for people living in a care home as anyone else,
· residents should be allowed to die in their care home if that is what they wish.

Parkhaven Trust will certainly assess what further it needs to do to ensure that our care homes do deliver care with dignity.


Hilary Rowland
Chief Executive
1.3.12

As we approach the new financial year, our thoughts turn to the plans for the coming year. The Trust launches this process by starting with the people at the heart of the service; particularly those that use our services and those that we employ. It is for this reason that we start the process with surveys of both staff and service users and their families, to find out what they think about the services and to elicit from them what we need to do differently. These views inform our plans and priorities for the coming year.

So what do service users say? Generally it would seem that we are along the right track. Those that live with us generally feel their rooms are of a good quality. They like the food and the choice they are given. Families are also very positive. There is still room to offer more activities and this will be a focus of our attention in the coming twelve months. These activities must reflect the rich range of interests people do have. This objective builds on the crucial importance of Dignity in Care which was highlighted last week when there was a Dignity in Action day (1.2.12) (www.dignityincare.org.uk). We are also going to work harder at communication with families who use our services for the day, so they know what their relative did, and how they were.

Two recent independent assessments assessed the homes as the top 5*. We hope that this reflects the importance the Trust affords to the dignity of the individual which we believe is paramount in the delivery of excellent care and support. There is no doubt that it is often the little things that can make the biggest difference, like taking the time to notice.

We look forward to raising the bar again next year, to improve the experience of all those that use the services of the Trust.


Hilary Rowland
Chief Executive
9.2.12

Social care back in the news

Earlier this week a letter to the Prime Minister urged politicians to find a way to overhaul the failing social care system. Apparently cross party talks are about to start again. So from the perspective of a local small to medium sized charity, what are the issues.

Firstly we notice that people who are coming into our residential homes are frailer and yet the charity is being paid no more. Over the past two years the Trust has had no uplift in fees. This will eventually compromise the quality of care that can be given.

Secondly the staff are the key to excellent services. Our aim is to achieve 90% of our staff trained to at least level 2. We are an Investor in People to the top gold standard. It is important that our staff feel valued and are appropriately rewarded. Politicians from all parties need to consider this in their deliberations. These staff deserve to be paid a proper living wage.

Thirdly the impact of changing local authority financial assessments and the subsequent payments that service users have to pay should not be underestimated. Locally for example the percentage the local authority now charge/ recover from service users has increased. These increased payments are putting potential clients and or their families off from using services. The long term effect of this could be significant. Situations will break down, emergencies will happen and people will ultimately require more care than if the appropriate care packages are put in place early on.

Social care is often not afforded the priority it should be. Some difficult questions need to be addressed and some bold answers found so that we as a society make the appropriate investment in services to support older people and those with disabilities.

Hilary Rowland
Chief Executive
5.1.12

Parkhaven Trust Works Council