ASHWOOD CARE HOME - Special Features

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, HOBBIES AND LEISURE INTERESTS
Service users are encouraged to take part in social activities hobbies and leisure interests.

Examples of activities service users can participate in include: -

“Night Out Club”
Sewing Sessions
Reflexology/Aromatherapy
Shopping
Pub/Restaurant visits
Cinema/Theatre outings
Church
College
Any other activity that a service user requests

Residents are consulted individually in relation to their interests and wishes regarding social activities as part of the service users plan reviewing process.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESIDENTS CONSULTATION ABOUT THE HOME
Our Home is committed to ensuring that service users are fully consulted about matters which are significant in the running of the Home and about matters that might affect their well being or quality of life.

This is ensured by the use of regular service users meetings, the Key Worker System and the monitoring and regular reviewing of individuals’ service user’s plans.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN THE HOME
Our Home’s fire precautions have been designed with advice from the Fire Officer and to date all recommendations are implemented following the annual Fire Officer’s visit. However, whilst every attempt has been taken to minimize risk of fire there can be no guarantee of safety.

The home is equipped with a fire alarm system and fire extinguishers, appropriate fire signs are displayed throughout the home and detailed “Procedures to follow in the event of a fire” (which includes emergency contact information) are displayed at all exit points.

The Home undertakes regular fire drills and reviews of procedures. The Home operates a separate FIRE PROCEDURE FILE, which includes, records of fire drills, alarm tests and records of staff training.

All staff are provided with information about the fire procedure at induction. All staff are required to attend annual up-date lectures on fire procedures and use of fire equipment.

The home has an emergency action plan to ensure that, following an event (such as a fire) that renders Ashwood uninhabitable for any reason, the service users will have short term accommodation until the home is deemed safe for them to return to, or a suitable temporary placement is organized.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESIDENTS TO ATTEND RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Our Home takes all reasonable steps to ensure that each service users wishes are known and understood in relation to the practice of their chosen religion. Where requested, we will observe and ensure confidentiality in respect of religious belief or alternatively we will take such steps as may be necessary to enable service users to attend religious services or access religious leaders, ministers or priests in private.

MAINTAINING CONTACT
Our Home actively encourages service users to maintain all forms of social contact that they enjoyed before moving into our Home. We will assist service users to maintain contact if requested.

Our Home is looked upon as the service users Home and hence, subject to the service users wishes, visitors are welcome at any time, although a phone call prior to the visit is advised to ensure that the service user is at home.

All visitors are requested to enter their details in the ‘Visitors Book’. Visitors should be made aware that this is to comply with Care Home Regulation 17 & Schedule 4-(17), Health & Safety Legislation and Fire Regulations.

Service users can usually receive visitors in their own room (with the permission of the person they share with if it’s a shared room), or in the lounge, or, outside meal times, in the dining room.

Visitors wishing to take a service user out of the home should speak to the Senior Member of Staff on duty first to ensure that any medication can be provided and that the trip out is within the capacity of the service user. This needs noting in the Visitors Book on departure and return.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS
Our home welcomes any Comments, Concerns or Complaints about the services delivered or how to improve the running of the Home. Complaints or Concerns about the service provided within any home will be treated seriously.

If a resident or relative requires help to make a complaint then they should be afforded advice about potential advocates. There is a pictorial complaints procedure on display for the use of service users.
Ashwood Complaints Procedure
The Proprietor / management of Ashwood welcomes comments of any nature from Service Users and those acting on their behalf, staff and indeed anyone that comes into contact with the Home.

Service users, if they wish can make a complaint one-to-one with a staff member of their choice, and/or are helped to access local independent advocacy, independent interpreters/communication support workers and/or appropriate training.

Service users and their families are assured that they will not be victimized for making a complaint.

Many concerns can be dealt with appropriately by discussion with the staff or the Proprietors/Manager. However, if you have an important request or complaint which you would like to be considered, this is what you should do:

Make the complaint or request known to Paul Sankey (Manager), in writing if possible (unless the complaint is made against Mr Sankey, in which case it should be made known to the Proprietors).
He / they will ensure that the matter is fully investigated and that you are informed in writing of the outcome At all times whilst dealing with the matter full confidentiality will be observed. If necessary, to help us deal with your concerns, the advice of an independent person may be sought. We will ensure that you receive details of the outcome within 28 days of receiving the complaint (or sooner as appropriate). Where the complaint is made by a Service User our reply will be in a format suitable for that person (e.g. symbolized, etc.)
If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction you have the right to take up your complaint with the Care Quality Commission. In fact, your complaint may be taken directly to the CQC but we would appreciate, whenever possible, to first attempt to resolve matters with Ashwood.