Working together to deliver the best care for your residents
Rose Therapy Centre offers support to nursing homes and care homes to provide the highest level of care for residents. Our experienced speech and language therapists work with staff to implement best practice in the identification and management of dysphagia (swallowing problems).
Research suggests that around half of all residents within nursing homes suffer with some degree of swallowing problems. If a swallowing disorder is not recognised or managed effectively, this can lead to aspiration pneumonia, choking, dehydration and malnutrition as well as the negative impact on wellbeing. This can have a devastating effect on residents, their families and staff working within the care home.
Early identification of swallowing disorders can prevent further health complications associated with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Rose Therapy Centre speech and language therapists can assess residents and help care staff to learn more about dysphagia so they can recognise when to request further assessment and support.
In January 2016 the Care Quality Commission published the ‘Fundamental Standards’ which provides a list of standards below which your care must never fall.
http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/fundamental-standards
These standards include the minimum level of treatment residents can expect as well as issues such as personal safety and competence of staff. The standards apply to all health and social care services in England including all nursing homes and care homes.
Inspection teams use these standards along with 'Five Key Questions' to drive CQC inspections and these determine the overall rating your care home will achieve:
You can find out more about this criteria at the following link:
http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/five-key-questions-we-ask
Here at Rose Therapy Centre, we have a wealth of experience in both the NHS and private sector of working with clients with communication and swallowing difficulties. We base all of the work we do on the latest evidence and incorporate national policies and standards to ensure that you are meeting your residents' needs.
Unfortunately we have seen a number of cases where care homes have fallen below the level of expected care. There have been several reports of deaths from choking in the recent press.
You may recall headlines such as:
In many cases, care homes are not able to demonstrate sufficient training in dysphagia and they most likely lack the policies and procedures related to swallowing disorders. Criminal prosecutions may follow such unfortunate events.
Residential care homes are responsible for training and knowledge of staff in relation to feeding and swallowing safety. CQC inspections will investigate staff training and knowledge.
We can offer support in the following forms:
Training includes:
Additional support:
Rose Therapy Centre therapists have extensive experience working within the NHS and privately. Our therapists assess and treat speech and language problems in adults to support their ability to communicate. They also support people with eating, drinking and swallowing problems (dysphagia). They work closely with patients, carers and other professionals, such as care home staff, to improve a patients’ ability to communicate and maximise their quality of life.
Our Therapists are registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
We are also members of The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP.)
Please contact us if you would like to know more about the services Rose Therapy Centre can offer you and your care home.