ASC Provider Briefing - 21 July 2023
|
|
|
Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
|
Welcome to this week's briefing.
|
This week in the briefing: read about Silcy the cat; information on a study that you can participate in regarding funding related issues in the care sector; booking a critical worker emergency driving exam; collaborative workshops to improve technology enabled care in Somerset and a call to action to participate in Proud to Care Somerset's Good Care Month social media campaign as well as the usual event reminders.
|
|
Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
|
|
|
|
Silcy to the rescue!
Occupational Therapist Andrea from the Shepton Mallet Somerset Independent Living Centre (SILC) shared a wonderful success story from earlier this week involving the beloved robo-cat Silcy!
|
|
"We had a lady with vascular dementia come in with her family - they reported she was really anxious in the car and didn't want to come, was nearly in tears and clearly very anxious when she came in, couldn't give me eye contact and sat hunched over in her wheelchair.
|
|
On a hunch I asked her if she liked cats, and she nodded her head. I got Silcy and asked her to look after him for me while I spoke to her family. She took to him straight away, reached out for him and put him on her lap and started stroking him instinctively. The lady visibly relaxed as Silcy started purring and interacted with him increasingly. She then sat calmly through the rest of the assessment and was even able to interact with me, answering the odd question appropriately, with smiles.
|
Her family was extremely impressed and said they were going to order one as soon as they got home. We talked about taking it out with them in the car to keep the lady calmer when going to appointments, which they thought was a great idea. She very reluctantly gave him back to me when they left!"
|
|
|
Somerset Adult Social Care have two independent living centres (SILC’s) in Shepton Mallet and Wellington. We are here to help people in Somerset find equipment and solutions to stay active, independent and make life easier. We offer free practical advice, which is why you can trust us to guide you through the options to suit you.
|
|
|
|
Take part in a study to tackle funding related issues across Adult Social Care
|
A study is being conducted on behalf of the NHS and local government councils across the Southwest to help us gain funding that tackle problems across the Adult Social Care (ASC) sector, we would be grateful for your views and opinions on what the focus should be. Please take a couple of minutes to answer this brief survey and tell us your thoughts. This is designed for all those that work in ASC; all care providers, charity workers, Council staff, NHS/ICS staff. Please feel free to pass this on to colleagues and providers.
|
|
|
|
Critical workers eligible for emergency driving tests
Critical workers in England and Wales, if eligible, can take emergency practical driving tests.
|
|
If you work for either the NHS in health and social care, the emergency services, or a local council; and are required to drive as part of your job you should be eligible to book one. If you meet the eligibility criteria, your employer needs to apply on your behalf. You can find out more information on the UK government website at Emergency driving tests for critical workers.
|
|
|
|
Technology Enabled Care in Somerset
|
Somerset Council are looking for people aged 18+ to help them design Technology Enabled Care (TEC) services in Somerset.
|
|
You can also contact us directly via silcshepton@somerset.gov.uk. If you have any questions or want to book via the telephone, please phone Julian Bellew on 07977 411274.
|
We will send you further details of the event once your place is confirmed.
|
|
|
|
|
To celebrate Good Care Month, Proud to Care Somerset are sharing stories about our brilliant carers in Somerset.
|
|
|
|
|
Events
|
|
|
Upcoming Event and Training Reminders
- New dates for the free Mental Health training for the Learning Disability Social Care workforce are available.
|
When booking, please select a first and second choice date and contact jean.painter@nhs.net who will reserve your place.
|
|
The dates and venues are:
|
|
24th July at Wynford House, Yeovil (free parking available on site)
|
|
And Taunton Campus of Bridgwater & Taunton College on the 7th of August.
|
- DBS Webinars for Adult Social Care, various dates. Details on Eventbrite.
- Basic Dysphagia Awareness Training, Various dates. Details on PEN.
- St Margaret's Hospice - Training for Care Professionals. 30th November, details on PEN.
|
|
|
Please continue to share or promote these briefings and our webpage to others in your organisations.
|
Our incident room mailbox and contact details (see below) remain operational during core working hours so please get in touch if you have any urgent concerns or queries, we can look to assist you with.
|
Somerset’s Provider Engagement Team
|
|
