Lancashire today to attend a Best Interest meeting for one of our
clients (let’s call her ‘Mary’ for confidentiality) who has been in
hospital for many weeks. It’s just over a 3 hour journey and I’m
leaving early to try and avoid some of the rush hour traffic and hope
there are no delays on the way.
The meeting comprised of the sister of the ward, the named nurse in
charge of Mary’s care, the discharge co-ordinator, the social worker
and Mary’s POA. The meeting was required as the decisions Mary
was facing were complex and could not be made easily by her alone.
Also, there were a range of options and issues that required
consideration between the professionals. The meeting went well and
everyone is in agreement that Mary can go home. I now have lots to
arrange.
Now standing in the crowded hospital ward surrounded by hospital
beds, sick people and the hustle and bustle of the staff and visitors
coming and going. I navigate my way through the myriad of Victorian
hospital corridors to visit Mary and tell her the good news.
Mary is a shadow of her former self, a tiny figure propped up by
pillows, no energy and very little conversation, but when I catch her
eye I get a beaming smile. ‘You’re going home’ I say.
My role as Director of Care is not only to assess potential new
clients but also to make sure that the welfare and safeguarding of our
existing clients is of the greatest importance, working closely with
families and other professionals to get the best possible outcome for
the clients.
My position takes me all over the country from Scotland to Cornwall,
and not forgetting the Channel Islands too. We really are national
despite our smallness, due entirely to the compliments and referrals
we receive from clients and their relatives and friends.
Back to my hotel room to write my notes and make the necessary
changes to the care plan for the carers to manage. I call Vanguard and
speak to Wendy – ‘another enquiry boss, can you call them please?’
The support we gave to Mary included sourcing a private agency to
assist the Vanguard carer, looking at further training for the carers so
that they are able to use the equipment safely, arranging equipment
and communicating with the POA to ensure that the property is
cleared of any obstacles to make way for the new aids and adaptions,
and liaising with family and friends, district nurses and other
professionals to make sure there is a smooth transition for Mary’s
return home.
The following day I am back on the motorway visiting the potential
client in Manchester that Wendy told me about.
All of this is not possible without the support of Wendy and Sara
who help me out when I’m stuck in traffic or get lost (very often!).
Sara is my navigator and always has Google Maps on her computer.
Wendy arranges my hotel and makes sure that everything is in place
for me (including a gym where possible).
Back in the office, Sara and I discuss the new Manchester client and
match carers to the client’s needs. Our C & C test (chemistry and
competency) is put into action, after which we liaise with the family
to let them know we have found suitable ongoing carers to look after
their mum in the comfort and familiar surrou
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