NHS urges care homes to use 'Is my resident well?' guide

Care home staff are being encouraged to think ‘Is my resident well?’ as part of a new training programme to help spot the early warning signs of those they care for becoming unwell.

The NHS guide provides practical advice on recognising the warning signs of ill-health or deterioration and how to get the right help. It also includes guidance on what to do if a resident falls or is suspected of having sepsis, and provides practical information about how to prepare to call an NHS service when requesting medical help.

Dr Asha Katwa GP and clinical lead for the guide and training, said: “This pocket guide is designed to provide a simple method for care workers to assess their residents. By repeating the 10 questions during everyday interactions with the people they care for, it is hoped that care workers will be more confident in recognising some early warning signs of deterioration and be empowered to know what to do, to get the right help when needed.”

The new guide and associated training programme is being rolled out to care homes across North West London to support care workers. The aim is to have 40 per cent using the guide by the end of 2018/19.

The guide contains ten questions for care workers to think about whilst providing every day care, such as washing and dressing.

The questions go through simple steps to check; breathing, bowel habits, hydration, pain, confusion, wellbeing and skin health (specifically looking out for the early signs of pressure sores).

“This may sound simple,” he added, “but in order to get the best help and advice when calling a GP, care workers need to provide as much information about the resident as possible. Their role is vital in helping health care professionals provide the right support and advice so that decisions for their residents are made in accordance with any known wishes and care plans. In doing so, this training aims to encourage care workers to act as advocates for the residents they care for, particularly if the resident cannot communicate their needs.”

One of the trainers who will be working with care homes in Ealing, Meadow House Hospice clinical nurse specialist Jo Lambert said: “I am really excited to start training care home staff how to use the new guide. I can see real potential in helping residents stay well and improving communication between care homes and NHS services that support them.

“From the perspective of the hospice, we get a lot of calls from care homes whose residents may need hospice support. If carers use the guide and prompts while discussing concerns, we will be able to gather more information on a resident’s condition, which will support the clinical decisions we make, improving wellbeing and quality of care.”

The guide has been developed by the North West London health and care partnership with staff from local authorities, care homes, NHS organisations and hospices, and supported by Health Education England.

For more information visit: www.healthiernorthwestlondon.nhs.uk