March 2020
Its been awhile since i updated our page and we have had a lot going on since December.
we have been recruiting a new Deputy Manager and have finally been successful and have welcomed Joanne McNamara to our senior team. Joanne comes with wealth of experience in Mental health services and will be an asset to the service.
We have had some staff turnover for differing reasons and find ourselves recruiting for support workers for the first time in a long while.
We have a new service user move in last month as step down from more secure services, we are hopeful that she settles in well and enjoys her stay with us.
We have been making more improvements to the dining room which is our focus for this quarter-improving the dining experience for our service users
we have bought new tablecloths and plants. and have implemented the use of condiment boxes on each table. This has been well received to date
We have had opportunity to celebrate a service users 60th birthday in February with a Blackburn Rovers themed party- everyone had a great time!
We have uploaded some information re precautions to take in relation to coronovirus on our latest news, and have displayed posters around the home to promote hand washing. we have also discussed this at our weekly user forums and team meeting so everyone is aware of what to do to manage the risks so far.
We are following all the government advice and will make sensible plans should things change. This may include restricting access to community activities and prohibiting visitors to Rockmount, but we are not at this stage yet, as we are working in as least restrictive manner possible and maintain family and friends contact.
We are currently working with SAMS Blackburn to source volunteer opportunities for service users who want or need some vocational activities.
At the team meeting we rolled out the following initiatives to improve our service user information and experience
- Herbert Protocol- to collect/enhance our missing persons information
- Happy/Not Happy Person centred document
- Holiday planning checklist
- Service user survey
We continue to gather information for end of life planning in a non threatening/distressing manner by looking at peoples favourite things (Flowers/songs etc) and involving family in assisting with this.
In January we submitted our PIR to the CQC which has now become an annual requirement and is not necessarily to pre-empt an inspection. The CQC have issued guidance in response to coronavirus and are reviewing their inspection processes to minimise risks to homes by visiting if care has been assessed as good or outstanding previously, or where there have not been any concerns raised or notifications submitted that would require investigation.
The carer survey circulated indicated that relatives wanted to be more involved in the care and support, it was suggested that a carer forum would be beneficial however on further discussion this would not meet the needs of family so we are looking to implement a 1-1 update meeting every 3-4 months with interested family members as long as servcie users agree to information sharing and obviously they are welcome to attend.
The staff survey will be circulated in April 2020. and we have planned an away day for June/July 2020. we will be looking at our values and ensuring these are embedded into everyone’s way of working.