Hats Off to Norlington

Over the past year I have had the great privilege of working with the Norlington Care Home in Bournmouth, Dorset. They really do deserve a shout out and and great big well done. It is so refreshing to work with such a dedicated team of people who care passionately about the quality of care that they give.

Over the months I have been advising the owners about their  procedures and together we have put together action plans and everyone involved is now reaping the benefits!

Thanks for a great visit yesterday. Great work! Good to be part of the team.

Trisha

Early Intervention So Important

I was really sad to read today of a care home that is having it’s residents removed following numerous warnings from the CQC in Ely, Cambridge. (http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Ely/Council-acts-to-move-residents-from-care-home-04042012.htm).  I am sad for the residents and also the staff who will now be looking for jobs and probably adding to the long list of unemployed.

My job is to work with homes long before they reach that stage.

There are thousands of homes in the UK, all of which have to follow quality guidelines for safeguarding the residents and staff. Problems are well documented. Hardly a day goes by where there are not articles relating to homes that are falling below standard.

But there are some amazing homes out there giving people excellent care in their twilight years. You just don’t hear about them in the news that often. I know they are there because I work with them and I see devoted staff and contented residents.

But I must say that I do tend to visit homes when they are at their lowest and going through difficult times. Quite often the owners are overwhelmed and do not know which way to turn for help. I come in with fresh eyes and the knowledge to be able to see a clear pathway to, most of the time, turn things round.

The key thing for all care home owners is to make sure they ask for help early enough. I would always advocate a regular audit to spot any failings early on, before the non-compliance issues start to stack up. My job is to look at the systems and procedures that homes have in place and then work with the home owners to make sure they stack up to the standards required.

It’s a simple process, yet can be life saving for homes – literally.

Trisha

(Trisha King is a specialist providing support and solutions for the care sector. www.trishaking.co.uk.)