The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has published guidance titled “GP services for older people: a guide for care home managers”. Aimed at managers and senior staff at care homes, the guidance promotes a seamless service between care homes, GPs and other primary care services with a focus on placing the resident at the centre of the picture. The aim is to ensure that residents receive the same level of access to NHS care as everyone else.
One of the main points of the guidance focuses on establishing better links between GPs and care homes. The result of which can help to address problems at an earlier stage, reduce pressure on A&E departments and provide reassurance to residents and their loved ones.
Other areas covered in the guidance include:
- Promoting resident choice.
- Advice on record keeping and medications management.
- Resident feedback and involving individuals in decisions about their care.
- Mental capacity decisions.
- Staff training.
The guidance follows the government’s announcement that next year’s GP contract will require all patients aged 75 and over (including those in care homes) to have a named GP to promote personalised care.
To view the guidance in full you can follow the link below.
http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/guides/guide52/files/guide52.pdf
