Derbyshire Community Health Services
The Care Home Support Team (CHST) provides multi-disciplinary/multi-agency support and therapy services to care homes in Derbyshire.
We offer therapeutic intervention and staff education programmes to improve the quality of care for older people in care homes, enhancing their quality of life. We were established when it was highlighted that the needs of this sector of the population were not being comprehensively met by any other existing services.
Involvement and partnership working with residents, care home staff, multiple agencies, charities and health care staff has developed opportunities to increase best practice. We also provide a support network for care home managers who at times feel very isolated in their role.
As clinicians, we are all passionate about the provision of rehabilitation and high quality care to older people. Therapy involvement ranges from rehabilitation programmes for mobility problems, falls prevention, identifying individual daily activity needs, to complex moving and handling, positioning and seating issues. We provide advice and support in the area of dementia care. The team has also facilitated individuals in returning to independent living following varying lengths of respite stay, and has given vital support to those making the transition into care home living.
We are an innovative and enthusiastic team that encourages care home staff to review and change practice. Bespoke training sessions for care home staff on topics such as moving and handling or nutrition have been well attended and the presence of CHST in their homes motivates and encourages them to apply their learning.
Considerable cost savings have been made through reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, shortening hospital stays and promoting independence.
“It is the first time that we have truly worked in partnership with local health services and it has been extremely beneficial for our residents and also our staff.”
Care Home Manager
Contact: Sam Pessoll, Team Leader on 01773 525081 / 525100 or samantha.pessoll@derbyshirecountypct.nhs.uk
