Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Linked up thinking helps care homes
Groups work together to offer support and protection
A well- established culture of partnership working in Monklands has been bolstered to support and protect residents and staff in care homes.
There are 80 older adult care homes in Lanarkshire, the majority of which are owned by independent sector providers.
Although the sector has exhibited remarkable resilience in coping with Covid-19, the pandemic has posed, and continues to pose, significant challenges to some facilities in the region.
NHS Lanarkshire, along with North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs), continue to work closely with all care homes and a range of supports have been enhanced to further strengthen preventative measures – and the management of outbreaks when they occur.
Crucially, this has included shoring up robust lines of communication between all partners.
Gabe Docherty, director of public health in NHS Lanarkshire, explained: “The care home sector has been routinely involved in engagement with health and social care partners.
“The challenges presented by Covid-19 has, however, seen us step up that approach.
“This includes a programme of supportive discussions involving care home management, care home liaison, infection prevention and control nurses, HSCP staff and the Care Inspectorate.
“This engagement helps to identify what is working well in the home and identify areas where further support from across the partnership would be beneficial.”
Mr Docherty continued: “Health and Social Care Partnerships have also established weekly multi-agency conference calls with homes in North and South Lanarkshire.
“The conference call provides the opportunity to share and update information and signpost providers to emerging guidance and reporting requirements.
“Care home providers, in turn, can run through any issues they have regarding the impact of Covid-19 and pressures they are experiencing.
“This is assisting to develop a shared understanding of the care home sector and, importantly, where particular support may be required.
“This dialogue also provides care homes with the opportunity to share examples of learning and collaborative working, highlighting a range of positive and innovative activities care home staff are undertaking to support residents.”
More formal arrangements of buddying between geographically close establishments can be introduced through these calls and feedback from the care homes indicates the partnership collaboration has been highly beneficial.
Mr Docherty added: “It is recognised that this has been a difficult time for care home residents, their families and friends and members of staff.
“In response to this unprecedented challenge, as well as enhanced communication, a number of key actions have been taken to strengthen the management and oversight of care home outbreaks, enhancing supports offered routinely to the sector. The implementation of these actions demonstrates the commitment of all key agencies and care homes working together, with a unified aim of protecting life and supporting frontline staff.”
This helps identify what is working and areas where further support would be beneficial