Winter 2007 Care Professionals Newsletter
Welcome to the first edition of our Allied Health Professionals Newsletter
Introduction
Welcome to the first e-newsletter for Allied Health & Social Care Professionals who work with people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
This edition provides informative articles on Peristeen and Intimacy, as well as an introduction to Active Assistance and some of the people who work here.Our aim is to provide useful information in the form of product news, SCI related articles and specialist care provision on a quarterly basis.
If you would like to comment on or contribute to the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully
Kate Tamblyn, National Care Service Manager
kate.tamblyn@activeassistance.com
The SIA Notice Board at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Unit, sponsored by Active Assistance.
Latest News
NHS Continuing Care
You will no doubt be aware that the Department of Health published the long awaited National Framework for Continuing Care back in June. However, did you know that the Association of Directors of Social Services published guidance a few weeks ago that says someone with a C5/6 incomplete Spinal Cord Injury should be automatically awarded NHS Continuing Care?! For more information read our article here.
Active rated as "Excellent" by CSCI
CSCI completed their annual inspection in July 2007 and Active Assitance was rated as 'Excellent'. This means that we will be listed as a 4-Star service when the CSCI publishes the star ratings for Domiciliary Care Providers in early 2008. Click here to read our report.
Active appoints Non Executive Director
Active Assistance is delighted to announce the appointment of Bill McClimont as a Non Executive Director of Active Assistance. Bill has worked in the independent sector of health and social care for 15 years. He is a council member of the General Social Care Council, a board member/trustee of Skills for Care, member of the CRB Health and Social Care sub-group and the Department of Health HR Group on international issues in Social Care. For several years, Bill was chair of the UK Home Care Association and the nursing and social care division at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. He continues to work as a Treasurer for the UKHCA.
Active wins Coutts Bank Prize for Family Business
Active Assistance is a family run business and on the 6th June 2007 we won the Coutts Prize For Family Business. The Coutts Prize recognises the best run family business es in England and Wales. Click here for more information.
Active MD named Manager of a Specialist Service by Ceretas
Andrew Allan, our Managing Director, won the Manager of a Specialist Service Award at the Ceretas Annual Home Care Awards held at the Marriott, Grosvenor Square in London on 12th May 2007. The award recognised Andrew's contribution in supporting people with a spinal cord injury to live independently.
Bowel Care Could be Changing
Faecal incontinence and constipation can be the two things that break people. Some sufferers can stop going out and become very depressed, they may have tried other methods with no satisfactory outcome and the potential for surgery (e.g. Colostomy) seems to be the only option. There is now a new product which can offer a solution to people who feel that they have reached the end of line.
This new product is available on prescription and although, won't be suitable for everyone, could be the solution to people who, despite efforts with other regimes, are still having problems regulating their bowel care.
Peristeen is an anal washout and can be carried out by the spinal injured Service User or their PA (with training). The principle is that a catheter is inserted into the anus, warm water is then pumped in by the user and therefore washes out the contents. The procedure takes on average 30 minutes and could reduce the amount of time taken carrying out the bowel care routine.
The product comes with a water bag, a water tube, a catheter tube, a pump and disposable bowel catheters. It can look complicated to begin with but once connected, it is a fairly straightforward procedure.
Service Users must be assessed by a healthcare professional perhaps within a spinal unit where advice is always available.
The main advantage of Peristeen is, of course, that it empties the bowel and therefore faecal incontinence could become a thing of the past.
Peristeen should be used within the normal routine, perhaps daily or alternate days.
The main disadvantage is Autonomic Dysreflexia, which can be triggered by the increased pressure in the bowel. Depending on the severity a decision should be taken as to if or how Peristeen should continue.
Peristeen is more suited to doing over the toilet as containing the water on the bed could be a problem and the user must be able to insert the catheter and fasten the leg straps or have a PA who has been trained to carry out the procedure by a competent Healthcare Professional.
Stoke Mandeville Hospial has been part of a trial of Peristeen and the specialist is happy to speak to Service User's, their PAs and Healthcare Professionals alike, as are specialists in every Spinal Unit.
Michelle Parry, Care Service Manager for the North West and the West Midlands
Intimacy Matters
Individuals with a disability have as much right as any other human being to experience the benefits of intimate relationships and explore meaningful ways to express their sexuality.
Many people encounter difficulties in their search for intimacy, but what helps us succeed in these pursuits? Firstly and most importantly, we must be aware that cultivating any relationship is a process, and that we should aspire to developing relationships that are meaningful, caring and of benefit to our wellbeing. This process involves developing the ability to make wise choices that can lead to fulfilling relationships, seeking opportunities to meet others who share similar interests and values, and learning from our experiences.
The reality is that severe physical conditions can seriously limit individual's choices in life, including options for expressing intimacy and sexuality. As human beings we constantly make choices about our lives.
Barriers to Intimacy
A variety of factors may contribute to intimacy problems. People with disabilities may act in non-loving ways towards themselves and/or others. In order to experience pleasure and fulfillment we need to be aware of our body sensations and emotional reactions. Blocking out physical pain can also block out pleasurable feelings that are a source of energy. The use of medications, alcohol, or drugs may numb physical or emotional pain as well as pleasure.
Intimate Sexual relationships
Research on people with disabilities indicates that several factors impact their success in developing and maintaining long-term relationships. Positive self-esteem, including their attitudes towards their condition, appears as the primary factor that empowers people with disabilities to experience intimacy and a healthy sexuality.
Communication
Communication is an essential ingredient of any healthy relationship, and the presence of any disability requires strong assertiveness skills. Individuals are responsible for protecting their safety by asserting their limits and ensuring that their partner is sensitive and trustworthy in accomodating their needs. An active and fulfilling sex life does not have to include intercourse. The inability to have intercourse does not mean the loss of ability to have an orgasm or the loss of the ability to love. A disability does not prevent a person from discovering new ways to express sexual feelings or from giving and receiving sexual pleasure.
Sexual Decision-Making
Physical and emotional safety is of utmost importance. While the Internet offers people with disabilities greater opportunities for developing relationships with others, it also increases the possibilities of meeting individuals who prey on vunerable personalities for self-gratification. When sexuality is objectified, intimacy is actually disguised, often resulting in harmful emotional and psychological effects. Below are questions your Service User can ask themselves to help assess the value and risks of sexual involvement with another person.
- Safety: Are your sexual activities safe for your health and well-being? Do you feel safe with your partner? How are you emotionally impacted by your sexual involvement with this person?
- Values: Does your sexual behaviour reflect and respect your values? Does your partner's behaviour honour your values?
- Intimacy: How well do you know the person? Do you have evidence that he or she is trustworthy? Are sexual expressions you give and receive respectful, comforting, and nurturing? Will they increase understanding, trust, and closeness between you and your partner? Or are they primarily for gaining attention, validation, or gratification?
- Freedom: Are you both free to choose what you will do? Do you feel afraid to refuse your partner or uncertain about how he or she will respond to your limits?
- Communication: Are you each able to express your feelings, needs, desires, and limits openly, honestly, and sensitively? Do you feel understood and respected?
Helen Thom, Care Service Manager for the North East and East
Meet Two of our Care Service Managers
Angela Wicks RGN, Care Service Manager - South and Central
Angie came to work with Active Assistance in November 2003. Her role whilst varied, is primarily focused on managing a client case load. She is also a Moving and Handling Trainer, an NVQ Assessor and has extensive involvement in Training and Risk Management.
Angie completed her Registered Nurse Training in 1989 and took a two year post working in Intensive Care with ventilated patients. in 1991 she was successful in gaining a place on the specialist course 'Nursing Patients with a Spinal Cord Lesion' at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Through completeing this course, Angie realised this was an area she was passionate about and has since worked with people with long term disability on a paid or voluntary basis.
In 1993 Angie was involved in taking one of the first mixed ability groups trekking in Nepal; this group included two people with paraplegia. Angie says her voluntary work has allowed her to assist people with spinal cord injury to surpass all obstacles and achieve activities such as skiing, waterskiing and abseiling: "you name it, I've done it!"
On a professional level, Angie has worked for the Private Sector since 1993 either in Private Hospitals in roles such as Surgical Nursing or Clinical Governance. She has also been the Manager of a Nursing Home for people with profound Learning and Physical Disabilities.
Helen Thom RGN, Care Service Manager - North East and East
Prior to joining Active Assistance at the beginning of 2007, Helen worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for a private healthcare company in the Complex Care Division, holding clinical responsibility for clients in the North of England. the client base included individuals with Spinal Cord Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebal Palsy and other Neurological Disorders. All the clients within the group were either ventilator dependent or required some degree of respiratory support.
Helen first qualified as an Enrolled Nurse in 1980 at Lodge Moor Hospital in Sheffield and spent time in Theatres, Spinal Injury and Surgery before leaving to pursue a commercial medical career. Helen competed the Return to Practice Nursing course in May 2002 and went on to complete the Enrolled Nurse Conversion whilst in post as Senior Staff Nurse at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield. Whilst in post Helen had a specific interest in acute complex care and ventilation of individuals with Spinal Cord Injury.
Helen holds the qualification of People handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer and is an NVQ Assessor. Helen is also currently studying for an Msc in Healthcare Education.
LinksClick here to view our latest CSCI Report Click here to view the Department of Health's National Framework for Continuing Care. Click here to view the Association of Directors of Social Services guidance paper on the National Framework for Continuing Care |
ACTIVE ASSISTANCE CONTACT DETAILSOFFICE TEL: 01732 779353EMERGENCY (OUT OF HOURS) TEL: 07623 910414Active Assistance, 5a Brewery Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1DF |