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
