Education and Training Plan
Introduction
Sussex Health Care commenced in 1985 with the acquisition of Clemsfold House. Over the years the group has increased and developed until the present 15 registrations covering a span of adult care, elderly mentally ill, people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours, people with profound and multiple disabilities.
The education and training facilities to support this care provision started with sporadic attendance at a variety of training opportunities often initiated by the inspectorate. In 1989 a Care Assistants course was developed and then an Activity Organisers course in house. This continued with the addition of Sussex Health Care being registered as a City & Guilds centre and providing 325-1 (a Carers training course) as well as the above. In 1996 as part of our involvement with Investors in People (IIP) the Care Home Managers undertook a management course - Certificate in Applied Professional Studies (CAPS) with the University of Brighton.
Training initiatives have continued to expand the education available for the staff group and supported the entry into specialist care areas.
Training Department Staff
Head of Education and Training - Carol Dilley
In 1999 as a response to the change to NVQ a part time tutor Vivienne Davis (20 hours per week) was appointed to lead the NVQ initiatives within the group.
In 2004, for an additional 8 hours per week, Jacqui Franklyn was recruited to undertake manual handling training and induction training. In August 2005 this input was increased to full time and Jacqui took the role of Clinical Tutor/Trainer.
In 2006, Jahan Amiraftabi, an NVQ assessor was added to the education staff to support the NVQ students and also undertake specific training initiatives for the cleaning staff.
NVQ continues to be an important area and the CSCI requirement of 50% of Care Assistants holding NVQ2 by 2005 has been exceeded.
Overseas Nurses Programme
Since 2000 we have offered an adaptation course in conjunction with the University of Surrey which enables overseas nurses to undertake a route of study culminating in their admittance to NMC registration.
In 2006 the NMC requirements changed and the course became the Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) and had to be delivered in conjunction with a University. We now present the course with the University of Surrey and the third cohort of students will complete the course in March, 2009.
Mentoring and Assessment is carried out by nurses who have mentor status and Jacqui Franklyn who supervises their progress.
Compulsory In-House Training
We currently provide the following compulsory in house training:
All Staff:
- Induction
- Personal and Intimate care
- First Aid
- Chewing and Swallowing
- Abuse
- Fire Prevention
- Manual Handling
Qualified Nurse Updates:
- Wound care and pressure relief
- Continence
- Diabetes
- PREP
- Palliative care
- Nutrition
All six QN update courses to be undertaken every 2 years
Catering Staff:
- Basic Food Hygiene certificate
- Nutrition
- Health & Safety course
Health & Safety Representatives:
- Basic Health & Safety certificate
Induction Course At Tylden House Held Each Month
Two full day courses are held at Tylden House during the first part of each month for new employees from all homes in the group:
This comprises the following:
Day One
- Introduction to Sussex Health Care
- Mission statement and philosophy of care
- Person centred care
- Manual handling
- Fire prevention
- Infection control
- COSHH
Day Two
- First Aid
- Personal and Intimate Care
In addition, every 6 months the above courses are run at Forest Lodge to enable employees of Forest Lodge and Horncastle House to attend.
New Requirements for Training for Carers
Induction
In 2005 a new mandatory system of Induction for care staff was introduced nationally and has to be undertaken in the first 12 weeks of employment.
Individual Skills Development
Courses in the following have been held in the past 12 months:
- Chewing and Swallowing
- Makaton
- Staff supervision training
- Disciplinary Issues and Performance review
- Person centred care for people with dementia
- Epilepsy
- Wound Care
- Palliative Care
- Constipation Management
- PAT Testing
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- Health & Safety Certificate
- Clinical Leadership
- Mental Capacity Act
- Age Discrimination Act
Domestic Staff
- NVQ1 Cleaning
Research and Development Initiatives
Sussex Health Care is unique in having a research and development group. During 2006 this group undertook a research project on constipation management with the University of Central England. Professor Sir George Castledine of the University of Central England and Professor Nick Bosanquet of Imperial College London, participated in this project and the research results are about to be published. This research project won the coveted Laing and Buisson Award for Medical Practice in 2006.
Mr Boghani (Partner), Prof Sir George Castledine, Carol Dilley (Head of Education and Training), Vivienne Davis (NVQ Coordinator) Michelle Grainger (Research Assistant)
The research group are now about to commence on another project where the topic is the maintenance of mobility for service users of all ages including the provision of physiotherapy to avoid contracture and osteoporosis.
During 2006 two medical students from the University of Sussex carried out research projects:
- At Rapkyns Care Home - examining care pathways for service users with Huntingtons Disease.
- At Kingsmead Lodge - examining the care requirements of service users with epilepsy.
During 2007/8 another two medical students from the University of Sussex will be carrying out research projects on Parkinsons Disease and Osteoporosis.
Currently Professor Karen Bryan of the University of Surrey is undertaking a research project which commenced in February 2007 on improving staff skills in communicating with people with dementia
Publications
Castledine G, Grainger M, Wood N, Dilley C (2007) Management of constipation in long-term care settings: research study. Part 1. Br J Nursing 16(18): 1128-31
Castledine G, Grainger M, Wood N, Dilley C (2007) Management of constipation in long-term care settings: research study. Part 2. Br J Nursing 16(19): 1212-17
For further information contact Carol Dilley on 01403 219 814 or email carol.dilley@sussexhealthcare.co.uk
