Safeguarding

[nicholas_1612]

Hi. As mentioned before I look after my mum who had a stroke 3 year ago. She has been back home for 3 weeks after a week spell in hospital with a skin infection. The district nurses were visiting daily, but now on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays as things are improving. There is a small scar which is being a devil and in an awkward position (left buttock). The skin specialist visited this afternoon and is happy with the situation. The specialist is referring to an ot if any equipment/something could help.ok to an extent and the specialist said I was doing a good job, but had to mention safeguarding if mum and I refuse any help. Mum is deemed to have nearly full mental capacity and can clearly make her point of view.I have tried to look up safeguarding, but totally baffled. The skin specialist is fully aware that mum wants to stay at home and with me as full time carer, which I am happy to do. Any advice re safeguarding, I would be appreciative, thank you.

[Henrietta]

Hi Nicholas
From your point of view, I think it would be helpful to "cover yourself" and keep a care diary.
You need to try and do everything and evidence that you have done so to avoid the pressure areas getting worse. I would record in your diary everything that is related such as phone calls you make to dr's surgery, conversations you have with district nurses and dates they come in, record every time you apply creams and which creams. Record frequency of changing incontinence pads if you help with this. If your mum is immobile and you encourage her to turn or take a short walk then record that too. It is just gathering a whole load of evidence to proove that you are aware of the dangers and doing all you can to prevent them. Professionals get on their high horse over pressure sores as they can lead to infection or ulcers which can be life threatening not to mention very expensive to treat. Just make sure you are one step ahead.

[jenny lucas]

I would say, too, try and develop a friendly and appreciative attitude towards the officials, rather than defensive and 'shirty' etc etc!

If you 'ask their advice' (but not to the extent that they can say you are totally ignorant and 'unfit to care'), and get them to 'check up'....eg, 'Can you tell me if this is right? I'm not an expert , so thank you so much for your 'expert view'' etc etc. Refer to their expertise with gratitude and appreciation!

It's not quite 'sucking up' to them, but it is defininitely about 'keeping them onside' and 'not putting backs up', etc etc.

Could you take 'daily photos' do you think on your phone or whatever (poor mum - daily shots of her rear end, sigh, but there you go!) to monitor what is happening.

Try and be welcoming when they arrive, and thank them for coming, and say how reassuring it is, how diligent they are, etc etc. Chat away and 'bond' etc. This is, as salesmen know, called 'building a relationship' so that the potential buyer thinks you are 'nice and friendly' and is so more likely to buy from you. Don't overdo it, as it can backfire!!!!

[nicholas_1612]

Hi. Thank you both Henrietta and Jenny for your responses, most grateful thank you. I thought I would post a brief update. The district nurses now visit Mondays and Thursdays as things are progressing well.The skin viability nurse made a job visit on Thursday (a different one this time) and was happy how mum is and the whole situation.No mention of safeguarding at all. And was happy with all the notes I write. The problematic left buttock is better, just a case of changing commodesand the nurse happy there is no pressure sore. So hopefully a couple of weeks togo. Thank you for your advice.

[nicholas_1612]

That meant to say a joint visit

[Henrietta]

Hi Nicholas
Thanks for the update, glad your mum is improvong- keep up the note taking with dates, it really pays dividends from time to time.

[nicholas_1612]

Hi. Thankfully, at last, mum will be soon discharged by the district nurses team, probably in the next couple of weeks. I will ask them the next time they will visit, but in anybodys experience, do they come say every 4 weeks just to see how she is? Eg check blood pressure, temperature etc. I realise that they have limited resources, staffing issues etc, but it would be appreciative if there was that back up, just in case. Thank you

[Henrietta]

Hi Nicholas
I think it varies hugely depending on why they are visiting but if they have "discharged" a patient, I would think they have finished visiting completely unless called back again by yourself or GP for a new or recurring health condition.

[nicholas_1612]

Yes indeed. Thank you Henrietta

[jenny lucas]

I'm glad she's being discharged, but I think it would be sensible for you to go on 'monitoring' the situation with her - ie, taking notes, taking photos etc. That way you can more easily spot any 'slippage' and also of course you have 'proof' to show when the nurses DO come back.

It's always best to alert 'early' with concerns, rather than wait until things get bad again.

I'm glad your relationship with the nurses improved, and they realised, hopefully, that they can trust you to be responsible!!!

All the best to you both - Jenny