Jan 2012 Newsletter
Update
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
MANDATORY SESSION – COMMUNICATION
27 out of the 35 registered homes were represented on this course with a total of 93 delegates.
Communication Skills in End of Life Care was a mandatory module of the Six Steps to Success project, which was open to all staff from ‘signed up’ nursing and care homes. We explored why we find it hard to talk about death and dying, from the perspectives of health care professionals; residents and their families. We looked at the elements of poor communication, incorporating practical activities within the sessions to highlight key points and we also looked at supportive communication. We explored what ‘difficult’ questions were and discussed strategies for dealing with them within conversations. Communication around advance care planning; mental capacity and best interest decisions was also covered. These sessions were enjoyed by all who attended and some good evaluations came out of it too.
Some quotes from evaluations received following this course:-
“…it definitely increased my confidence for dealing with difficult questions/conversations”
“…a greater understanding of communication…..…”
“…feel more confident to approach potentially difficult conversations”
STEP 3 OF SIX STEPS is currently being delivered, ‘Co-ordination of Care’. This module is aimed at achieving the following standards:-
- There is a robust communication system in place to ensure all staff members and external health and social care professionals are fully informed of the plan of care;
- There is a nominated key worker for each resident approaching end of life;
- There are systems in place to respond rapidly to changes in circumstances as end of life approaches.
This module is being well attended, figures to follow next month. Step 4‘- Delivery of High Quality Care in Care Homes’ is currently being developed and delivery will commence on 6th February 2012.
We are starting to recruit for Cohort 2 which will commence in May 2012, please email education@stcatherines.co.uk to register interest.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sue Clayton
Clinical Educator
