Summary of Purpose Blind Veterans UK is a registered charity established in 1915 to offer assistance to ex-service personnel with a visual impairment. The name and registered address of the charity is Blind Veterans UK, 12-14 Harcourt Street, London, W1H 4HD. The care services are provided at our Centre at Greenways, Ovingdean, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 7BS and also at our new center in Llandudno. The Charity also has a training centre in Sheffield The Brighton Centre is currently the only care home that is owned by the Charity that caters for permanent residents, however, Llandudno offers respite care services. The Centre was originally opened in 1938 as a training and rehabilitation unit and a holiday hotel for Members. Over the years it has evolved to include long term and respite nursing and residential care. Admission to a permanent nursing home placement at the Brighton Centre follows a set process. Members may apply for a permanent care placement, but applications must be made via their welfare officer and each application is assessed and considered on an individual needs basis by the Admissions Panel. Our Aim The aim of the Charity is to encourage and assist its members to overcome their impairment and maintain the quality of life that they so richly deserve. To meet this aim, the Charity provides: rehabilitation and training in employment and independent living skills assistance towards the provision of welfare, medical and housing support to Members, their families and widows or widowers a nursing and residential care home and training centre at Brighton and Llandudno a training centre at Sheffield The aim of the Centre is to provide quality nursing and social care based on assessed need in order that residents may live as independently, actively and normally as possible, taking account of their wishes and capabilities. This is achieved through the provision of residential care in a spacious, caring environment; high quality nursing care; expert therapy services; a wide range of activities and welltrained and motivated staff. Blind Veterans UK focuses on seven basic concepts for the provision of quality care: privacy, dignity, independence, security, civil rights, choice and fulfilment. 1 of 8
Admission to Brighton Enquiries about accommodation and services are initially made through Blind Veterans UK Welfare Officers. Blind Veterans UK does not accept emergency admissions to Brighton. However, if a member needs to be admitted urgently their Welfare Officer will liaise with us directly as to whether or not we are able to accommodate the member on that occasion. Blind Veterans UK Welfare Officers provide information on all aspects of the Centre. This information is produced in all formats necessary for the visually impaired i.e. audio, Braille and large print. The Welfare Officer will carry out an assessment of the applicant s needs and liaise with the Welfare Committee and Social Services to seek funding if required. Each application is given careful consideration. A place is offered depending on vacancies. A waiting list system is utilised. Accommodation Blind Veterans UK, Brighton is a registered care home and aims to provide high standard accommodation and care in single rooms for up to 18 nursing care patients and 29 social care patients, although the home is registered to accommodate 38 nursing residents and 37 social care residents. The accommodation complies with the national minimum standards enforced on 1 st April 2002. Permanent accommodation is not offered to married couples unless they are both Members and both have care needs. All rooms are equipped with en-suite facilities and telephones. In addition there are two assisted baths and one assisted shower for every eight nursing residents. We also have two Day rooms on Nursing, a total of 4 Bullnose seating areas, a games room, the Blue Room, Green Room, Main Dining Room and 2 Serveries, a large Lounge and Bar area, a Ballroom, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Craft Workshop, Wintergarden Room, all of which are wheelchair accessible. Anyone who is a Member for more than 3 years aged over 18 years, who because of physical incapacities requires help with daily living, is entitled to apply for a place at Brighton. Residents who are mentally infirm or with major psychiatric disorders cannot be admitted as their needs are beyond the scope of our nursing capabilities. Assistance for seeking funding for placement in alternative accommodation can be provided. 2 of 8
About the Staff The Manager of the Centre is Lesley Garven, a qualified Social Worker who has a number of years experience in the field of sensory impairment. The Deputy Manager and registered Care Manager is Jacqueline Greer, a Registered Nurse with an MSc in clinical studies and management from Brighton University and a certificate in residential management from Queen s University Belfast, she has been managing care homes since 1990. Brighton employs 12 whole-time equivalent Registered General Nurses (RGN) and 57 whole time equivalent Care Assistants. Staff are on duty 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Blind Veterans UK is committed to staff development with all care staff undergoing National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Level 2 in Healthcare, and many other additional training courses are also offered. Caring for Members On admission to Brighton an individually agreed Plan of Care is prepared in conjunction with the resident. This provides the basis on which the care service at Brighton is delivered. Each person s plan includes: a description of their preferred daily routine likes and dislikes in relation to food and any specific dietary requirements how individuals would like to be addressed what dignity, respect and privacy means to them in terms of daily behaviour and actions social interests and activities, including arrangements to attend religious services contact with relatives, friends and representatives This Care Plan also contains risk assessments and any additional risk management plans required. It includes details of health care needs, medications, GP and community nursing, or other therapeutic services provided or commissioned by the resident. On the social care floors each resident is allocated a member of the care staff to act as a key worker. On the nursing care floors the Senior Staff Nurse is the key worker responsible for the patients. Key workers are responsible for monitoring, reviewing and co-ordinating the service plans for each of their residents. Their duties include preparing residents care plans and gathering information for their reviews which are held six monthly or more often if needed. Key workers are regularly supervised by their team leader/supervisor or 3 of 8
manager, who shares responsibilities for the resident s reviews and for communicating with outside professionals involved with the resident s care. An individual s daily care programme is organized in response to the individual s needs, always mindful of the needs of the other residents. Flexible Services Whilst meals are served between set hours, our flexibility means residents can arrange to have their meals either in the Nursing Floor serveries, or in the main dining room. If a resident is unwell arrangements can be made for meals to be served in his or her room. However, all residents are encouraged to socially interact and mix with others in the main dining areas. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements are catered for. There is a total ban on smoking within the building at Greenways, Ovingdean and the two off-site properties (Port Hall and Beacon Hill); also in the area immediately at the front of the building and entrance area, and when travelling in Blind Veterans UK vehicles. Visiting Members and permanent residents may smoke on the 2 nd floor balcony, in the inner garden, or outside in the grounds only. Port Hall & Beacon Hill Visiting Members may smoke in the garden at both properties and the entrance porch at Port Hall. Smoking is not allowed in the Summer House. Brighton offers a varied activity programme and has a fleet of transport. There are routine buses that run up to three times a day to local areas that residents can use at their convenience. We also organise trips and daily activities. An activities list is circulated monthly. The cost of most trips is included in the fee. A talking sign is sited outside the main lounge, which gives the weekly programme in audible form. Blind Veterans UK achieved the Investing in Volunteers award in October 2007. Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations which involve volunteers in their work. Our volunteers are on hand to sit and talk or read to our Members, or act as escorts on trips and activities. Our facilities There is an in-house gymnasium, swimming pool and craft workshop, which are open between the hours of 9.30am-4.00pm Monday to Friday. 4 of 8
A varied supply of talking books can be borrowed. Talking book machines are loaned to residents for use in their rooms. The services of a Chiropodist, Physiotherapist, Ophthalmic Consultant and Dentist are also provided for residents as required. A GP from a local practice visits twice weekly. Patients can retain their own GP by agreement. There is an in-house bar available to all residents, open between the hours of 1100-1245 and 19.00-22.00 Monday to Saturday and 1200-1245 and 1900-2200 on Sunday. Brighton has its own chapel and transport is provided to take Members to other church services or meetings if required. A full housekeeping and laundry service is supplied. Dry cleaning is also available for a fee. The handbook, A Guide to Blind Veterans UK, Brighton is provided in all rooms outlining details of the services and is summarised in this Service Users Guide. This information is also available from the Lounge Desk in tape and Braille format A number of newspapers are supplied at the Lounge Desk. Residents may also wish to purchase their own. Other spaces available include visitors/guest suites, lounges with satellite TV and large screens and quiet sitting areas in the Bullnose areas overlooking the Downs and sea. Users Surveys Blind Veterans UK is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of services and in 2009 was re-accredited with the Investors in People (IiP) Award. We have a comprehensive Policies and Procedures Manual containing all significant policies, which is constantly under review and revision. An important part of our approach to quality assurance is to obtain the views of all of our clients, particularly those of residents, relatives and their representatives. This is achieved through monthly residents meetings and, on more personal matters, through separate meetings with residents and relatives. Annual quality assurance questionnaire surveys are conducted with all residents actively encouraged to participate. A suggestion box on the main floor provides an opportunity for anybody to submit an anonymous suggestion. The office door of the Manager and Deputy Manger are always open for any resident who wishes to meet and discuss their concerns. 5 of 8
Key Contract Terms, Admission, Occupancy, Termination of Contract When clients are admitted with a view to permanency there is a one month trial period before a decision for occupancy is agreed. During this time, staff get to know the resident and their family, and identify their options and preferred living style. The person s care and support requirements are assessed, discussed and developed into an agreed plan. This will include discussion and assessment of any risks to which the resident or staff may be exposed as a result of making their own choices. This discussion (with the agreement of the resident) can include any relatives or representatives involved with the person s care needs and plans. The aim is to achieve a Plan of Care which: meets everyone s agreement ensures that both the resident and staff are content; and ensures that staff are able to meet the needs of the resident prior to any resident giving up their former home while residents are encouraged to personalise their room by adding some of their personal belongings and furnishings, these must comply with current fire safety regulations and there must be sufficient working space remaining for the staff to administer care in a safe working environment. To this end we cannot accommodate large pieces of personal furniture and so suggest that this is put into appropriate storage. Blind Veterans UK can provide information on off-site storage facilities (payable by the resident), for residents personal belongings which cannot be accommodated in their room. Details and cost on application Our Cost Structure Fees are currently up to 750 per week dependent on the level of care required and the amount of subsidy provided by the Charity. Fees include all personal care, food and accommodation, heating and lighting costs, laundry (on premises) and any other staff services. Fees do not cover dry cleaning, personal newspapers and magazines, telephone calls, alternative therapies and some activities. Any Registered Nursing Care Contribution for which a Resident is eligible is paid directly to the charity by the NHS Primary Care Trust. Fees are reviewed yearly. The services of the dentist and the chiropodist are provided routinely whereas the services of the physiotherapist, the dietician and the ophthalmic consultant are offered at the discretion of the GP and the Nurse in Charge when it is deemed necessary for the patient. 6 of 8
Prevention of Infection Blind Veterans UK have robust policies and procedures regarding Infection Prevention as required by all establishments that provide Care. Environmental and working processes are constantly assessed and reviewed to ensure the organization is meeting best practice around infection prevention. Environmental reviews ensure that facilities meet with required standards and that high levels of cleanliness are maintained. If during your stay you find anything which you feel does not meet your standards please contact a member of staff so they can assess and review the situation. As a building which receives many visitors, we have a policy which identifies actions to be taken in the event of an Outbreak as recommended by the Health Protection agency. An Outbreak is classed as 2 or more related cases of an infectious disease. The outbreak policy contains information regarding : ensuring prompt action from staff, determining the course of an Outbreak, preventing further spread, preventing recurrence, ensuring that all necessary agencies are advised and that recommendations are acted upon. If you have any symptoms of a potentially infectious illness e.g. sickness, diarrhoea, etc, it is very important that you inform staff so we can monitor you closely, and prevent anyone else from suffering similar issues. If we do have an Outbreak and you have been affected, we will ask you to remain in your room until you have been symptom free for 48hrs (in line with recommendations from the Health Protection Agency). Staff will advise you on what is required to prevent cross infection. The main principle in reducing the risk of cross infection is effective hand washing, and staff will ensure you have the required facilities available to you. Visitors/ admissions to the building may be restricted at this time, dependent on the risk of cross infection. Further information leaflets are available from the care floors 7 of 8
Complaints procedure A copy of our complaints procedure is included in this information pack. When making a complaint or needing further information on your rights and standards you may wish to contact the following organisations: Care Quality Commission, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA Tel: 03000 616161 Fax: 03000 616171 enquiries.southeast@cqc.org.uk Age Concern, Head Office, 1268 London Road, Streatham, London, SW16 4ER Tel: 0208 679 8000 (or contact local Age Concern listed in the phone book) NB: New regulator for health, social care and mental healthcare called Care Quality Commission. This is a merger between the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Healthcare Commission and Mental Health Act Commission. 8 of 8