Statement of Purpose and Service Users Guide

Statement of Purpose

LOCATION
The Wilfred Leonard Care Home is situated on the borders of Bristol, Bath and North Somerset, less than two miles from the village of Congresbury. The village has a range of local shops and amenities accessible from the tranquil location of the Home.

INTRODUCTION
The Company is proud of its’ record for providing a quality service. Our success has developed during many years working in the Care sector and been achieved through our ability to be responsive to the needs of our Service Users and their families, or significant others. We take our responsibilities seriously and are constantly looking for ways to enhance the quality of our services. The Company is growing and has a special commitment to the training and development of our workforce to ensure continuing high standards of care.

The Wilfred Leonard Care Home is a modern building, purposely and sensitively designed to meet the needs of older people with dementia. To achieve this environment we have consulted extensively with a number of experts in dementia care including officers from the local Social Care Inspectorate Commission and staff at ‘Dementia Voice’ – an organisation which utilises the latest research and promotes best practice in caring for people with dementia. In addition, we have visited other progressive establishments and brought together effective, superior care practices enabling us to create a state of the art care environment.

The geographical layout and internal décor of the Home is indicative of the careful thought that has gone into establishing a therapeutic ambiance which will be both comforting and stimulating. Advice has been sought from Statutory and Voluntary organisations to ensure residents have the most appropriate facilities, equipment and environment necessary to promote orientation and relieve distress.

In addition to offering care to people with dementia, the Wilfred Leonard Care Home may also accommodate people with non-acute mental health illnesses subject to individual assessment of needs.

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
Staff at The Wilfred Leonard Care Home believe people with dementia can be enabled, and should be encouraged, to retain their individuality and sense of worth despite the debilitating effects of the illness.

We shall provide a homely, safe environment, aiming to earn Resident’s trust and confidence by listening to individual wishes and not imposing our own ideas and beliefs.

We will respect people’s need for privacy and independence, but ensure any help required is provided willingly and professionally.

We will encourage Residents to exercise choice in relation to all aspects of daily living and support their decisions as far as possible, conducting risk assessments as necessary.

We shall support Residents and their families through the changes relating to the illness with dignity and respect, regardless of their state of health, colour or race.

We believe Residents and staff have the right to live or work in the Home in an environment of mutual respect, free from any form of abuse.

We will support and nurse each Resident during all stage of illness using good care practices which will neither neglect nor over-treat an individual but which will work to ensure a dignified and peaceful end to their lives.

We will maintain confidentiality and disclose information only to those with a right to know.


MISSION STATEMENT
We are committed to providing a quality service supported by evidence-based practice and on-going training and development of staff to achieve our aim of providing support and care to all who come into contact with our service.

We are dedicated to meeting the needs of older people, their family, friends and significant others during what may be a difficult time in their lives. This is achieved by creating partnerships in care with the Service Users, families, friends and fellow professionals ensuring that, wherever possible, the informed agreement of our Service Users provides greater choices and empowerment in critical decision-making events.

We will promote an open, transparent, honest and enabling service which is receptive to advice and comments from others, thus ensuring best and safe practice.
Complaints will be investigated sensitively and impartially within a reasonable, realistic time-frame. We shall make available to relatives, friends and significant others as quickly as possible all relevant information that has an impact on Service Users and will aim for an inclusive service.

We will ensure The Wilfred Leonard Care Home is at all times welcoming, friendly and inviting, and that Service Users are always treated with respect, dignity and warmth.

CORPORATE OBJECTIVES
We will monitor the service delivery through quality assurance audits, feedback from independent inspections and networking with other services and providers.

We shall actively seek advice from Statutory and Voluntary organisations concerning the effectiveness of our standard of care.

We will identify shortcomings through regular audits and resolve them as speedily as possible.

Best practice will be identified and disseminated through training and supervision of staff.

Safety and security of Service Users, visitors and staff will be continuously promoted and these objectives will be met through appropriate Risk Assessments.

We will ensure the Home meets all statutory obligations and will foster collaborative and constructive relationships with all parties.

HOME OBJECTIVES
To cultivate an open and transparent service, enabling our Service Users to achieve optimum independence within the limitations of their disabilities.

To provide a stimulating environment, appropriate to the needs of Service Users.

To obtain the views of Service Users, their families, friends and significant others through regular care reviews and residents, relatives and staff meetings. Service Users will be actively involved, where possible, in care planning and reviews and, with the consent of Service Users, families, friends and significant others may also participate.

We will ensure our Service Users have unrestricted access to all community support services.

Service Users will be encouraged to exercise choice in relation to diet, seating preferences, mobility, recreational and therapeutic activities.

Where Service Users are unable to exercise choice or make informed decisions, the views and preferences of relatives, friends or significant others will be respected where appropriate.

To safeguard the rights of Service Users and defend their choices insofar as their decisions are either Risk Assessed or appropriate as perceived by their advocates or the multi-disciplinary team.

To ensure privacy, security, dignity and self-respect are maintained at all times in relation to personal care and mode of address.
To maintain confidentiality of medical information and only reveal with either the consent of the Service User, responsible Medical Officer or persons authorised to give or receive such information.

To keep informed family, relatives and significant others of the health and well-being of Service Users, and advise them of any adverse event.

Staff will conduct themselves professionally at all times and ensure our service is always Service User focussed.


Schedule1 Information

The Registered Provider is:
Mr P T Bliss, OPTIMA CARE PARTNERSHIP,
29 Bleadon Hill, Weston super Mare, North Somerset. BS24 9JE
Telephone: 01934 813414 Office
0781 3834861 Mobile

Paul Bliss qualified as a Member of the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants in 1969 and became a Fellow member in 1974. He owned and managed a range of businesses until 1984 when he acquired his first Nursing Home specialising in the rehabilitation of the young, mentally ill. His Nursing Homes business has expanded and Paul now owns and manages over 200 beds, including general nursing, EMI and rehabilitation of the mentally ill.


The Registered Manager is:
Sue Haywood
Wilfred Leonard Care Home, Brinsea Road, Congresbury, North Somerset
BS49 5JL
Telephone: 01934 853834
Fax: 01934 852736


(Diagram of Organisational structure overleaf)




FIRE PROCEDURES
The Home has the correct number and type of fire alarms, extinguishers, blankets etc appropriate to its size. A copy of the fire prevention policy (attached) is available to all residents and relatives on request.









ADMISSION CRITERIA
The Wilfred Leonard Care Home aims to provide a friendly, homely and stimulating environment in which people with dementia are encouraged to retain their individuality, independence and sense of worth.

We anticipate Residents will meet our flexible but appropriate admission criteria in the following manner. They:


 will have a diagnosis of dementia or a non-acute mental health illness possibly in the advanced stages

 will be referred from various sources including health, social services, family or self- referral

 will be assessed individually by a trained member of the Nursing Home staff to ensure all needs can be met by the Home

 will have funding guaranteed from Social Services, purchasing agency or through self - funding

 will benefit from individual care within a specialist, stimulating and safe environment

 will be offered a trial stay of up to one month

 will be aged 65 years or over


PRE-ADMISSION PROCESS
Referrals will be taken from a variety of sources including Social Services, GP’s, hospitals, transfers from other homes and direct from those who are self-funding. Prior to any admission our staff will undertake the following pre-admission assessment:

 A trained nurse will arrange to visit the prospective Service User to obtain relevant information, ascertain health status, assess eligibility for admission and determine resource requirements and care needs.

 In the case of the statutory services, a Social Services or Health Care Plan will be obtained from the referring agent.

 The Service User and /or their representative will be informed of the service available and facilities provided.

 A brochure, Statement of Purpose and Service Users Guide will be given to the Service User or their representative.

 If appropriate, and admission is agreed, the Service User or their representative will be provided with information relating to the weekly fee for nursing care in addition to extras such as chiropody, hairdressing, newspapers etc.

 A copy of the Company’s’ Terms & Conditions and Contract will be given, and if agreed a signature obtained. The Home will keep a copy on file and the Service User or representative given a copy.

 In respect of local authority funded placements, a fee will be agreed according to local social services financial arrangements and may be subject to alteration depending on clinical need and dependency calculations. In some cases, a ‘top-up’ may be required from the service user, family or significant other.
 Admission will not usually take place until the Company has received the financial agreement in writing. However, in urgent circumstances, this agreement can be obtained by fax.

 All contracts will be based on the above information and will be in compliance with the law.

 On admission, a Care Plan will be drawn up to meet care needs in the first forty-eight hours. Assessment of care needs will be on-going until all care needs have been identified and a comprehensive Care Plan is in place.
 Uncertainties or ambiguities in relation to admission will be discussed with a Senior Manager or an officer from the Commission for Social Care Inspection. No admission will take place until there is clarification and agreement from all relevant bodies.

 A Care Review meeting will be arranged to evaluate the suitability of the placement, usually four weeks after admission. This meeting is usually organised by the Care Manager and the Service User and relatives invited to attend. Where there is no Care Manager / Social Worker the named nurse or key-worker will arrange for a multi-disciplinary team to review the care and suitability of placement.

 All Care Plans will be reviewed regularly and evaluated at least once a month. Involvement of relatives, friends or significant others in this process is encouraged.

 All prospective Service Users will be offered admission on a month’s trial basis to determine whether the Home is suitable and the care needs can be met.

Requests for an emergency admission will be addressed by the Matron/Manager or Deputy before any decision is made. The Matron/ Manager or trained Nurse will visit and assess the prospective Resident, documenting information on a client details sheet. A judgement will be made to gauge if the Home has the equipment and expertise necessary to meet the clients nursing needs. If, following Risk Assessment, there is a shortfall noted a reasonable time span will be given in order to obtain any outstanding equipment. Following an emergency admission to the Home, a GP will be requested to see the client within 24 hours. Copies of procedures such as Comments / Complaints etc will be explained to the client and family within 48 hours, and a Care Plan formulated within 72 hours. During the assessment visit, charges will be explained to the next of kin/person responsible for payment as appropriate and it will be emphasised the client is initially taken on a four week trial period either way.


SOCIAL, LEISURE AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES
Staff will have a skill mix that will enable the Service User to feel emotionally supported, have an optimum quality of life, reminisce where appropriate and minimise distress experienced due to the effects of disorientation.

All activities are need-based and supervised by an activity co-ordinator who will be employed to provide structured and semi-structured occupation. There are rooms available for one-to –one or group participation.

The activities programme will reflect both individual and group interests to promote social interaction in keeping with the cultural, generational, physical abilities and life experiences of individuals.

Our assessment will identify past interests and hobbies to encourage and maintain an appropriate level of stimulation. We will utilise the concept of ‘life histories’ to enable the Service User to retain their uniqueness as individuals and to preserve their identities.

Each Service User will have a Leisure and Activities Care Plan and we will encourage interested individuals to sustain interest in gardening, potting, craftwork and relaxation activities.

We can offer the experience of skilled staff to provide one-to-one or group support to Service Users, their families, friends or significant others.

A range of communication methods will be used to ensure communication is both effective and tailored to the needs of the individual, particularly those Service Users who have additional sensory deficits such as hearing problems or impairment of sight, smell, taste or touch.

Where appropriate we may utilise perfumes, scented oils, pleasant odours, textures, herbs, colours and tactile stimuli.

Information about other facilities can be discussed with the person in charge at the time of your visit.






DIET
Appropriate diets which are nutritious, balanced and in accord with ethnic preferences will be available. Meals are presented in an attractive manner and the chef and kitchen staff receptive to feedback from the Service User, family, friends or significant others. Special diets for medical conditions are prepared on site and are varied and appetising. Mealtimes are managed with care and attention with the quality and presentation of food monitored through our auditing processes i.e. Service User surveys, face to face discussions, the reaction of Service Users when eating their meals and comments made during the staff, relatives and Service Users meetings. The kitchen staff possess food hygiene certificates and are trained to the highest standard. We will respond positively and flexibly to criticism and make menu changes at short notice if requested.

COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS
We have a robust complaints procedure that we take very seriously. Our aim is to try to address and resolve the complaint as quickly as possible and to respond in writing to all complaints usually within a 48-hour period. Where there is a serious risk or threat to the Service User, action will be taken immediately. The statutory services, including Commission for Social Care Inspection, will be notified in writing the same day. Where the threat or risk is minimal, or the complaint is complex and cannot be resolved until a thorough investigation is completed, the process may take up to four weeks. If this is the case, the complainant will be kept informed. Copies of the Comments / Complaints policy will be provided for each Service User. It is also on public display in the Home and the person in charge will explain the procedure on request. We also keep a record of general comments, using these to improve the service where appropriate and to praise staff where positive.

ROOMS / INTERNAL LAYOUT
The Wilfred Leonard Care Home is purpose-built and meets the legislative requirements for room sizes. Rooms are tastefully decorated and homely, but Service Users wishing to have their own furniture and memorabilia in their bedrooms are encouraged to do so. All bedrooms have en-suite toilets and wash hand basins and all toilets are wheel-chair friendly.

Bathrooms and shower rooms are spacious, warm but well ventilated and user-friendly. Bathrooms are fitted with specialist baths.

Corridors are fitted with handrails to aid balance and encourage independent mobility, and are designed to enable Service Users to walk freely between corridors without coming to a blind end. This reduces distress and the stress of problem solving. There is a lift available for people with mobility problems.

A specialised, portable nurse call system operates to alert staff to Service Users in need.

Each bedroom has the facility for a television and /or radio, and there are TV’s, radios and hi-fi systems in communal lounge areas. Music will be generational and culturally appropriate.

RELIGIOUS / SPIRITUAL INTERESTS
All religious, spiritual and humanistic perspectives will be respected, including the wishes of individuals who are atheist and agnostic. Staff have a non-judgemental approach and will not enforce their own belief systems on Service Users.

Where Service Users wish to pursue their religious beliefs they will be encouraged, and contact made with such organisations to arrange for this need to be met. Visits to the Home by local Clergy and Ministers will be arranged between the Service User, relatives, friends or significant others and assisted by staff. The assessment of the Service User will identify such needs and their preferences incorporated into the Care Plan.

Particular rites and rituals that are culturally, spiritually and religious-specific will be honoured, and the Service User enabled to meet this need. Staff are trained to understand ethnic diversity and customs in relation to Worship and the rituals performed following death, and these rights of passage and requests will be documented in the Care Plan. Where appropriate, relatives, friends or significant others will be enabled to assume responsibility for the deceased and their wishes respected. Staff will manage grief in a sensitive and supportive manner ensuring the process is calm and unhurried.




SECURITY
The Wilfred Leonard Care Home has a range of security features to reduce the risk of injury to the Service User. The Home has a secure Key Pad system fitted to all outer doors and doors leading to stairs. Certain rooms have discreet door handles which require some dexterity to open i.e. doors leading to sluices, cleaning cupboards, offices etc. These doors blend into the walls giving the appearance that there is no door. Some electric sockets are also discreetly placed and blend into the wall. We have kept security measures to a minimum to ensure the Service User a sense of freedom. It is not our policy to place too many restrictions on movement and any that are in situ have been Risk Assessed and agreed with those bodies responsible for enforcing legislation.

GARDENS
Within the complex is an internal garden containing shrubs, herbs, assorted flowers and seating. In the grounds there are plans for a small greenhouse and a potting /craft shed for Service Users who wish to continue with hobbies. The garden is designed to be a safe, secure place of relaxation, solitude or activity according to the wishes of Service Users. It can be accessed from bedrooms and sitting rooms on the ground floor and adjacent corridors and is wheelchair friendly. Staff accompany Service Users with mobility problems.

MEDICAL AND NURSING INPUT
Each Service User will have the services of a General Practitioner and undergo a medical assessment following admission to the Home. The health of Service Users is monitored continuously and where treatment is considered necessary they will be referred to their General Practitioner. The GP regularly visits the Home to review the effectiveness of treatments prescribed. If considered appropriate the Service User may be referred for specialist treatment at the local hospital. Relatives, friends or significant others will be kept informed at all times. If agreement is reached between the GP, Care Staff, relatives, friends or significant others the Service User may not be referred to hospital but remain at the Home.

All Service Users have a Nursing Assessment and Care Plan which is reviewed, evaluated and up-dated as appropriate at least once a month. Where possible the Service User participates in the Care Plan process and agrees to the plan of care. If participation is not possible due to the health of the Service User, the relative, friend or significant other is encouraged to be involved. The Nursing Assessment identifies the resources required to assist in the delivery of care including specialist equipment such as special beds, pressure-relieving mattresses, hoists, moving and handling equipment, adapted toilet seats, special cutlery etc.

MODEL OF CARE
We believe in drawing on various models of care to suit the individual needs of our Service Users. Primarily, we have adopted the Logan, Tierney and Roper model that focus on the ability of the individual to meet the activities of daily living such as washing, mobility, toileting, sleeping, nutrition, social interaction etc. Where Service Users are partly or totally unable to meet these needs themselves they will receive appropriate assistance from our staff. However, it is important that we recognise the Service Users strengths, enabling people to maintain these strengths and retain as great a degree of independence for as long as possible.

Service Users also have social and mental health needs which are addressed by our expert team of staff. We believe it important that Service Users retain their links with family and friends and encourage trips out, family gatherings, the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries etc. We also encourage relatives, friends or significant others to work alongside care staff at every opportunity providing emotional, psychological and physical support. Staff aim to hold regular support group meetings for relatives, friends or significant others to enable them to come to terms with their situation.

Visitors are warmly welcomed by Staff at the Wilfred Leonard Care Home at any time during our flexible visiting times. In addition to bedrooms, there is a quiet area for residents to meet with relatives, friends or significant others. Children are welcome, provided they are with a responsible adult, but it is suggested the person in charge is consulted prior to bringing children into the Home.

For further information, please contact the Manager / Matron who will be pleased to meet and discuss any other issues.