Care Homes

The Highland Hospice ECHO superhub has been discussing, with departments within the Scottish Government and NHS partners, ways to to expand the use of ECHO through replicating more hubs and networks throughout Scotland.

A first step in repositioning the superhub as a Scottish ECHO Centre has been the inclusion in recommendations within the Scottish Government Healthcare framework for adults living in care homes- My Health, My Care, My Home.

We have been granted some funding to prove the concept of ECHO through evaluation of ECHO for Care Homes in four key Health and Social Care Partnership areas determined by the Directorate for Social Care & NCS Development at Scottish Government. We are currently working closely with the Quality Improvement team within the directorate who also have oversight of the development of the framework.

This is an exciting opportunity for Project ECHO to develop an approach which is right for Scotland and enhanced by robust policy and quality assurance which can be recognised in all Health and Social Care Partnership Areas.

We will publish more information as this ECHO develops. To keep updated, register for this ECHO below.

Programme

New programme updates will be provided in due course

Sessions will start at 6.30 pm

3rd May -The pandemic as a catalyst for positive change

The negative impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on people who live work and visit care homes is well documented. In this session we look at some of the positive learning during this period and consider how we might use this to influence current practice.

Presenter-

Lucy Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, Napier University. Lucy has spoken to many care home staff and gathered their reflections about COVID in order to scope the development of OSCaRS (Online Supportive Conversations and Reflection Sessions).

(In this first session, as well as our subject speaker, we will also be welcoming Jason Leitch who is the National Clinical Director for Scotland and many of you will recognise him as the key person in the infomercials from the Scottish Government during COVID. We are delighted to welcome Jason back as he has opened ECHO for us before and the audience really enjoyed his input and his funny stories).

17th May - Frailty and delirium and working with the wider MDT

Care home services are supporting people with increasing complex needs. In this session we will explore how we can continue to meet these needs and the role of the multi-disciplinary team in this.

Presenters-

Dr Martin Wilson, Internal Medicine and General Medicine, Geriatrics. Care Homes in Highland know Martin well as geriatrics consultant in Raigmore Hospital and his expertise and advice is highly respected out with Highland.

Jaime McNab, QN. Jaime is the lead nurse for care homes and care at home in NHS Highland

31st May - 'Safe Care' - what does it mean and how does it influence decision-making?

Priorities of safe care - how do we know what is good enough? What is the decision and escalation process in times of increasing staffing pressures.

Presenter-

Professor Kate Cochrane, Head of Resilience for NHS Highland. Kate has a wealth of experience in resilience and recovery, particularly after situations like COVID.

14th June- Complex decision-making towards the end of life - when to transfer?

Presenter-

Michael Loynd, Macmillan EOLCT Partnership Director, (End of Life Care Together) from the Highland Hospice.

We'll take a 'real life' look at the truth of this subject, highlight myths but also look at the local supports for complex decision making such as the EOLCT Palliative Care Helpline and out of hours support.

28th June- Meaning, purpose and re capturing enjoyment at work! This session will also be used to gather requests for topics and additional dates for after the summer holiday period.

What helps us to keep showing up for work in these times of immense pressure and risk? This session will explore this and look at tools to feel resilient and positive about your role.

There is a payment of approximately £15 per care worker per 90 minute session to allow you to 'earn while you learn'.

Staff Information