Service User Guide

Section 1

Welcome to Conifers Nursing Home

Welcome to Conifers Nursing Home. We hope your stay with us will be a happy one. This Service User Guide has been put together to give you information about Conifers Nursing Home and what we have to offer. Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is anything you need.

Our Mission Statement

We aim to provide our residents with the best quality of life in an environment that is clean, comfortable, safe, and welcoming. We treat all our residents as individuals. We ensure that all individuals are treated with compassion, dignity and respect and ensure that we as a home remain sensitive to each individual’s needs. We have set out our Mission Statement which can be found on the notice board.

Our Philosophy of Care

Conifers Nursing Home strives to be a home from home, where our residents will be happy, content and feel at home in a safe, friendly, and secure environment.

We aim to respect, maintain and preserve dignity, individuality and privacy whilst remaining sensitive to each person’s ever-changing needs.

Our residents are treated as individuals and are encouraged to enjoy life at the home, maximise their intellectual, physical and social potential. We recognise that families and friends have a part to play in the individual’s well- being and encourage this when possible.

All our staff are appropriately qualified to ensure that we can deliver the highest standards of care. Staff undergo continuous training and development of their skills and experiences to ensure that we maintain these standards.

Your Charter of Rights.

We respect the right of each individual to lead an independent and fulfilling life as possible. We have set out a resident’s charter of rights which we believe to be an entitlement of all individuals within our care. Only necessary constraints will be enforced to promote the health and saftey and well being of residents, staff and visitors to ensure that the correct level of care is provided throughout the Home. Fundamentally residents within out home shall have the right to

• Retain their personal dignity and independence irrespective of the severity of their physical or mental infirmity
• To have social, cultural, emotional, religious and cultural needs accepted and respected
• To have skilled, sensitive and understanding care to enable individuals to achieve the highest possible quality of life
• To have personal privacy respected
• To be consulted about daily living arrangements in the home and to participate in discussions about proposed changes to these arrangements
• To be informed and involved in any assessments regarding their treatment and care
• To have regular reviews of their circumstances and be involved in any review meetings
• To be involved in the care planning process and be able to make informed choices
• To be informed of all the services offered by the home
• To manage their own personal affairs including finances
• Not to be moved without prior consultation
• To have access to the formal complaints procedure
• To be given the opportunity to vote in local and general elections
• To have the right to choose which outside professionals are used e.g. chiropodist or dentist

Policies

Every aspect of running and managing the home is set out in a comprehensive set of policy documents. These policies cover all aspects of care, staffing, management and health and safety. The policies ensure that we meet statutory requirements in order to run a care home.

Our policies are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are kept up to date. Our policy manual is kept in the office.

 

Quality Management System

We have embodied quality in our way of life and everything we do. We define “quality” as delivering a service of care that is appropriate to each individual and their needs. We have a comprehensive system that requires all of our policies and work practices be audited at least annually to ensure that we maintain the standards that we have set ourselves. Any “non-conforming” areas are corrected and reviewed for any other action that we need to take to ensure that the problem is not repeated in the future.

 

External Inspections

In addition to our self assessments we also have inspections from outside agency’s such as local authority and CQC to ensure that we are operating as we should. At least one of these inspections are unannounced and could even be during the night. Copies of the investigation reports can be seen at the home or seen online.

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Section 2

About the Home

Conifers Nursing Home is a small family run home situated in Wombwell. We are a 28-bed facility providing 24-hour Nursing and Residential Care. We strive to give the best quality of care possible. We promote person centred care and ensure that all individuals are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

We are a wheelchair accessible home with our own private car park we are also on one of the main bus routes to Barnsley, Rotherham and Wombwell town centre. We are also close to the Trans- Pennine Trail.

All meals are prepared on the premises so there for we are able to cater for each individual’s personal needs and preference.

We have 2 communal lounge areas, seated garden areas and a large dining area.

There is always a registered nurse in the building, our care staff and nursing staff receive regular training on a wide range of different subjects.

Care that we specialise in

Physical disabilities, sensory impairment, Parkinson’s disease, stroke/ brain injuries, cerebral palsy, diabetes, terminal illness and end of life care, special dietary requirements and so much more……

Specialists that we have access to.

Chiropodist, Hairdresser, Dentist, Opticians, Continence specialists, Dietitians, Parkinson’s Disease specialists, Tissue Viability Nurses, G.P, Memory team, speech and language specialists, Palliative care teams, McMillan Nurses. We can arrange for specialist teams to be involved in individuals care.

 

Our details

Home Provider – Domenic Manfredi

Home Manager – Sarah Paget

Clinical Lead – Paula McKnight

75 Brampton Road

Wombwell

Barnsley

S73 0SS

Telephone: 01226 751007                         Fax: 01226 751007

Information that is useful to us

Any information that can be used to assist us to provide the best care such as medical history, preferred priorities of care such as likes and dislikes, allergies, times for rising and retiring, pre-planned funeral arrangements. All information is valuable to us.

What you need to know about Conifers

• Meal Times

Breakfast – 8am to 10am

Lunch – 1pm to 2pm

Tea time – 5pm to 6pm

Meal times are protected times and we ask that visitors do not attend during these times

• We ask for all individuals clothes to be clearly labelled with names.
• Please sign in and out of the building using the Signing in Book, this is part of the fire call regulations
• We ask that any valuable items be locked in our safe or taken home. When we say valuables, we mean large amounts of cash, valuable or sentimental items that could potentially be lost such as loose-fitting jewellery
• Please sign in and out of the visitor’s book when entering and leaving the premises
• We have regular residents and relative’s meetings
• We have an open invitation to family and friends
• If someone has power of attorney for your finance or health and well being, we will need proof of this
• All rooms are fitted with a nurse call system
• We offer a laundry service that is included in your fees please note that any garments that have to be dry cleaned off the premises can be arranged at an extra cost.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any member of staff for information.

If you have a concern or complaint, please see a member of staff we are here to listen. Please bring any issues that you may have to our attention as this is one of the ways that we can make improvements to the service that we provide.

Fire safety

We have strict procedures to follow when it comes to fire safety. Our staff are trained in emergency evacuation procedures and for this to work effectively we need everyone to follow the procedures.

For the clients of Conifers

Remain where you are and staff will evacuate you if it is possible and safe to do so. The fire services will be called immediately for assistance and they will evacuate any individuals who staff are unable to evacuate.

Visitors to the home

1. If you hear the fire alarm sound go immediately to the main entrance (front door) without hesitation, if you are in a client’s bedroom please ensure that the door closes behind you. The corridor doors and lounge doors will close automatically when the fire alarm sounds.
2. Follow any directions given to you by a member of staff to ensure your saftey

it is our job and the fire brigades job to evacuate the building so please follow instructions and let us do our job we are trained in emergency evacuation.

Please remember that all lives are precious and irreplaceable and by not following procedures and instructions you are not only putting yourself in danger but everyone else in the building.

It is important that you sign in and out of the visitor’s book as this document will be used if a fire were to occur.

Smoking

There is a No Smoking policy in place at Conifers, This is in line with current legislation. However, there is a designated smoking area to the rear of the building in the enclosed garden.

Security

We aim to provide an environment that is safe and secure for our clients, staff, and visitors. For this reason, our front door is lockable from the inside and should always remain closed. All visitors to the home are required to sign in the visitor’s book. Bedroom doors can be locked from the inside and outside

The outside of the home is equipped with security lighting that comes on automatically and goes off automatically according to the time of day.

Freedom of movement

We do not restrict your movements around the home in any way both inside and out. For saftey reasons we do ask that you notify a member of staff before you leave the premises. Please note that in extreme cases temporary restrictions may apply for example if renovations are being carried out around the home some areas will become a no entry area.

Please be aware that when you are away from the home we can no longer accept responsibility for your safety and welfare.

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Section 3

Contracts

Our terms and conditions of residency are embodied in our contract, this document forms the basis of your stay with us. You have the right to have copies of these contracts and any other documents regarding your residency.

Your personal fee rate will be stated in the contract

Some items are not included in the fee rate and will be an additional cost these are items such as hairdresser or chiropodists.

There will be a period of 4 weeks before a contract is issued, and you are made a permanent resident at Conifers. We call this a trial period, this enables you to decide if the care at Conifers is what you want.

We adhere to our statement of purpose which can be found on the notice board in the reception area.

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Section 4

Your Personal Properties

Bringing your possessions into the home.

We aim to achieve a “home from home” experience for all individuals within our care. We encourage you to bring your possessions to make your bedroom more homely such as photographs, favourite ornaments, anything that will make you feel more at home. In the sections below, you will find more advice regarding the items that you may wish to bring.

Money

We do not advise individuals to keep large cash amounts in their bedrooms. We do have a secure safe if you wish to store money in it. If you do, we will open a special deposit and withdrawal account for you so that you can see when you have put monies in or taken monies out of our safe. These records are signed for by 2 members of staff at any given time and are regularly audited

Valuables

While we appreciate the value of your items and the sentimental aspect of such items we do not advise that you bring these into the home as we are unable to accept liability for such items.

Clothing

Prior to taking residency in the home we ask that all clothes are clearly marked with your name. this enables us to trace your garments through the laundry process end ensure that they are returned to the correct individual.

Electrical equipment

No electrical appliances should be brought into the home without consent of the manager or home provider, this is for health and saftey reasons. We must have all electrical equipment checked annually to ensure that it remains safe to use.

Furniture

You are able to bring small items of furniture into the home if it they can be accommodated safely. Please bear in mind that any furniture that is brought into the home must meet current fire regulations.

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Section 5

Your care

Care Planning

We keep Care Plans for all individuals. A Care Plan identifies all your health and social care needs, what we aim to achieve when planning your care and how we are going to achieve it. We use Care Plans to record your daily activities and any professional visitors that you may have. We review our plans of care regularly to ensure that the care that we provide is still appropriate to your needs. We like to involve you in the care planning process as no one knows your preferences better than you do. All our care planning is person centred this means that it is centred around your specific needs, we will involve any necessary professional’s such as specialist nursing teams.

We only involve your next of kin in the care planning process if you give permission for us to do so. The information in your plan of care is confidential and will only be shared with the necessary professional’s and your next of kin with your consent to do so.

 

Medical care

We are now aligned with Wombwell Medical Centre, George Street, Wombwell, if you use a different G.P and do not wish to Join The practice we are aligned with, it will be at the discretion of your registered practice as to whether or not they wish for you to remain on their case load. Please be aware that Most GP’s now are wanting all individuals aligned with the care homes nominated practice.

Medication.

All medication is administered by the nurse that is on duty. If you wish to self medicate we will need to carry out a risk assessment to see if it is appropriate for you to do so.

Personal services

Our care team are more than willing to assist you with tasks such as letter writing, completing forms or voting papers

Please note that good practice prevents us from assisting with the drawing up of wills and witnessing the power of attorney documents.

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Section 6

Recreational activities

Social events and celebrations

Conifers Nursing Home tries to arrange an entertainment event at least once every month this includes singers coming to the home, celebrations of calendar events and games events. We encourage all individuals to participate in these events. We run regular raffle stalls throughout the year and we also hold a summer fair each summer.

We invite all our clients and their family and friends to these events.

Technology

We have a TV in both communal lounges for you to watch with other clients.

We have access to Wi-Fi throughout the building just ask a member of staff for the password to get you hooked up.

Newspapers / magazines

You or your family can arrange for a daily delivery of your favourite newspaper/ magazine. Please note that this is not done through the Nursing Home and should be done privately with a local provider.

Library

We have several books available in our on-site library, please feel free to help yourself. Alternatively, there is a library situated in Wombwell town centre.

Games

We have a wide selection of games and cards for you to access if you wish to please don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff for assistance.

Visitors

Your visitors may visit the home at whatever time is suitable for you. You have the right to decline any visitors if you wish to so just make staff aware of your wishes. We do ask that your visitors try to avoid meals times as they are protected times.

Religion and worship

We welcome the practice of any religion at Conifers, if you need to make arrangements for this to occur please do so or ask a member of staff if you require assistance.

 

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Section 7

Your views and comments

We value your opinion it helps us to improve on the service that we provide and to carry on with practices that make you happy. We believe that by asking you as a service user is the best way of making improvements. Part of our ongoing commitment to quality is to ask you to annually complete a small questionnaire regarding your views and opinions of the home. We do welcome your opinion always.

Complaints and compliments

We have an open-door policy and encourage any persons that are not happy with any aspect of our service to highlight them which can be done openly or confidentially. We strive for the best and the only way that we can achieve this is by you telling us when we fall short of meeting these standards. We will try to implement changes to improve on the service that we provide. We want your stay with us to be the best it can be.

We have a compliments book that is located in the front entrance, we want you to tell us when we are doing a good job and what makes you happy with the service that we provide.

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