Using an NHS South West London Innovation Fund grant we are setting up a three month Intensive Support Service for care home residents with challenging or distressing behaviours.
This pilot project will run from January to March 2023 and involve clinical specialists, specialist training support and community support.
Why set up this project?
Behaviours that are challenging or distressing are often seen in people with health problems that affect communication and the brain, such as dementia or learning difficulties.
Some people need specialist support to help them have a good quality of life and reduce any risk their behaviour causes them and those caring for them.
Unfortunately, following a stay in hospital, it can sometimes be difficult to find specialist residential care for people with behaviours that are challenging or distressing.
As a result, there are patients who experience much longer hospital stays than they need to. This can have a significant negative impact on their wellbeing and also reduce the number of hospital beds available for other acutely unwell patients.
What does the pilot aim to do?
This pilot project aims to:
- Support people with challenging behaviours to be cared for effectively in a supportive setting.
- Understand the impact that these patients have on our local hospitals
- Equip the homes with the strategies, training, tools and support they need to confidently care for these patients as they move from hospital into a residential setting.
- Show the benefits of supporting residential care teams across south west London to manage these patients safely in their care homes.
The project will help us establish whether there is a need for a new and continuing Intensive Support Service to reduce acute delayed transfers of care and improve the wellbeing and quality of life for people with behaviours that are challenging or distressing who need residential care.
What will happen during the pilot?
Independent behaviour and needs assessments
A maximum of 45 patients will receive an independent behaviour and needs assessment. The assessment aims to understand the factors which contribute to the patient’s behaviour and identify their specific needs.
This understanding will be used to develop personalised support to help minimise their behavioural issues, improve their quality of life and reduce any risk their behaviour causes them.
Positive behavioural support training
45 care homes across south west London will receive tailored positive behavioural support (PBS) training and support to help them to care confidently for residents with complex behaviours.
Care homes accepting residents with complex behaviours will receive bespoke PBS training and support for up to four weeks after discharge from hospital, to support the transition of the patient into the care home and help ensure that the placements are successful.
The Intensive Support Service will also work closely with borough based behavioural teams.
Referrals
If you’re a health or care professional and want to refer a patient into this pilot service please complete the online referral form or contact us.
