Care Home Support Service

Healthwatch Kirklees worked with NHS North Kirklees CCG to engage with GP practices, care home residents, staff, relatives / carers, and the wider public to support the development of a care home support service. The engagement ran for 6 weeks, from Monday 11th September to Sunday 22nd October 2017. They undertook surveys and focus groups.  They spoke to 230 people.

Most residents and their families / carers felt that the care they received in the care home was good, with many talking highly of the care home staff. They described their care homes as friendly places where they felt looked after. Some people did suggest that the care home staff would benefit from some further training / qualifications.

Some of the respondents had either not been in the home very long or they had not had reason to need to see a GP or healthcare professional. However, of those people that had been ill most people reported that GPs were called when they were required, and most were happy with the care that they received.

 Some mentioned how their care home received regular visits from GPs, audiology, podiatry, district nurse, dieticians, opticians and dentists. Particular mention was made of the benefit of having a GP visit on a weekly basis to deal with non-urgent problems.

Reference was made to the change to referrals now being online; one respondent felt that this change had made it more difficult. However, they did value the ability to now be able to refer a patient direct to physio, continence, respiratory without needing to wait for the GP. What could be improved?

Many felt that residents should receive regular reviews from their GP to assess their medication, health and wellbeing, and to support the development of a relationship between the resident and GP.

Residents felt that there needed to be more care home staff in their care home, to allow them to have more one to one time with residents. Some people were concerned that due to staffing and funding issues, some homes were not able to provide a wide range of activities, or spend time with residents. This at times could lead to loneliness and isolation of residents.

Care home staff requested that GPs undertake their visits at an agreed time, and avoid visiting during meal times as this was very disruptive for both residents and staff. Care home staff described how they would like to be able to access clinical advice on an urgent basis to avoid going to A&E. Care home staff talked about difficulties they have with ordering medication. They often have missing items / lost prescriptions. They also highlighted that they are unable to order medication online.