Portfolios Archive

What led to Jac’s situation and first experiences of care (4:45)

What led to Jac’s situation and first experiences of care

Baz and Jac recount their experience of what lead to their current situation. Following a severe bleed on the brain, which was not picked adequately up by the hospital when it first presented, sent home with paracetamol to return 3 weeks later into intensive care Jac is now disabled, with limited mobility, vision and cognitive ability. 14 months later after various hospitals and care homes Jac came home.

Experience in care homes have been mixed, with some ignoring that Jac’s mobility is limited, leaving drinks, tv remote controls etc out of reach or not providing drinks at all Other care homes they describe as very thoughtful in their interactions doing things like Halloween parties, miniature donkeys visits, checking in when passing her room to simple touches thing like a serviette with a cup of tea etc.

Continuing Health Care – Coordinating a CHC Review (8:10)

Continuing Health Care – Coordinating a CHC Review

David describes a frustrating phone call with Liaison Care. Liaison asked for lots of documents about his wife – her medication chart, care plans, and risk assessments – but dismissed the detailed care journal the speaker already keeps. The call was full of misunderstandings, and Liaison didn’t seem to know much about Pat’s condition (PCA – Posterior cortical atrophy) or the care agencies involved.

Attempts to link up with Nightingale Care and Complete Care were also messy, with wrong contact details and confusion about arranging meetings on Microsoft Teams. In the end, the David feels the approach isn’t working and that the whole process may need to start again.

Difficult decisions: Trust and Transparency (3:25)

Difficult decisions: Trust and Transparency

Chrisptopher gives talks about what meaning trust and transparency has in relation to care and the Real Care Deal.

He shares the story of a senior nurse with mobility issues who needed to transition from using a frame to a hoist for safety reasons. Despite the nurse’s long-standing relationships with her GP, district nurse, and OT, none of them were able to tell her about the needed change.

After a difficult conversation Chris received gratitude from the nurse’s daughter for addressing the tough decision. Later, the nurse herself apologised for her initial reaction and appreciated the speaker’s honesty.

This story highlights the importance of difficult but necessary transparency in care decisions.

The Real Care Deal is about carers having enough time to care (3:57)

The Real Care Deal is about carers having enough time to care

Jac and Baz reflect back what think a ‘Real Care Deal’ should mean. It would be about having enough carers, carers that have enough time for conversations and get to know the person they are caring for. Care being more personable and understanding.

Where people are more important than profit. Cares not under pressure the whole time rushing from care job to care job. This would enable people to feel more human and not a number. This would mean people recieving care look forward to being care for by happier friendly staff rather than dread who they will get or how miserable they may be. They refer to good experiences and the significant of impact this has on wellbeing.

Building connection and community in care (3:12)

Building connection and community in care.

Gina and Ian talk about how they have seen the shorter but more regular visits provided by NR Care alongside wider support from staff at The Great Hospital whilst ensuring residents get what they need it has also nurtured greater connection between residents themselves.

Ian notes that what is often most important to people is not necessarily what you need but what you wish for which is often as simple sittiing down over a cup of tea and a chat.

With the wider activity, communal restuarant and events at The Great Hospital these combined factors have organically begun to reduce isolation and nurture connection. Gina gives examples of how the Local Authority has been working alongside them.

Building relationships at the speed of trust (3:19)

Building relationships at the speed of trust

Zena and Angela talk about the conditions that enable trust. Trust needs time, this becomes possible by removing the barriers to engagement and recognising the opportunities to form relationship rather than fill out forms.

From creating space for every cup of tea to be alongside someone without expectation of conversation, creating culture where staff and residents always share meal times, closing the office at 5.00 everyday to spending social time in the evening and knowing that it takes time.

They share a story of one gentleman who sat in the corner by themselves for months, didn’t share their name until one day they put their name on a volunteer list and is now a vibrant volunteer working 2 days a week.

Sleeping without fear (5:09)

Sleeping without fear

Empathy enables trust to grow. Seeing peoples experience of homelessnes through a perspective of truama Zena and Angela talk about working without judgment., They recognise how overwhelming it is for people living homeless to suddenly have the things we take for granted such as food, a room, running water, warmth or something as basic as an ensuite.

Alcohol dependency prevents many residents getting into other places creating a cycle of isolation and a world where you can’t enter anywhere. Highwater House allows alcohol use and in doing so provides sanctuary and the safety to sleep without fear.

Bullying and being alongside (3:15)

About With Friends share personal experiences of challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly bullying and misunderstanding. Bringing to light the importance of advocacy, education, and building genuine relationships. Recognising the value of treating everyone with equity, providing support to friends in need and the necessity of educating people so they fully understand the lived experience of people with disabilities to foster better communication and relationships.

Building Trust and Transparency through consistent quality care (3:00)

Building Trust and Transparency through consistent quality care.

Sue emphasises the importance of trust and transparency in professional settings, comparing it to person-centred and personalised care. She discusses the need for consistency in delivering services, regardless of who provides them.

Sue reflects on their experience with the Norfolk County Council and the ICB, stressing the significance of quality teams and the importance of collaborative work among multidisciplinary teams. She describes their roles in clinical case management, commissioning, monitoring, and quality assurance, highlighting how close collaboration can lead to better outcomes and cost savings in care.

What does be more human mean to you? Extract from interview with Zena & Angela from St Martins Trust

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We asked Angela from St Martins Trust what be more human means to her.

Transcript:

“ It means lots of things, doesn’t it? It means being kind, caring, open. Yeah. Empathetic, understanding, nonjudgmental.”