It is important to meet the health and well-being needs of the residents and we achieve this by securing effective links with other professionals. We have excellent relationships with all local health professionals and work in partnership with them on behalf of the residents. Staff are experienced to identify when residents might need extra care and support from other professionals, and we refer residents for assessment to ensure their needs are met as soon as possible.
GP services
We have an excellent local GP service and the GP visits Freshfields weekly for a surgery. She is on hand to see the residents and to discuss their health needs as well as being able to diagnose and prescribe immediately. During the week we maintain telephone links with the GP services, and they are always willing to come out to visit specific residents if they are unwell or need medical care. We have support to locum doctors at weekends and out of hours.
Medication
Residents are assessed to see if they are able to manage their own medication and remain self-medicating. If they are not able to manage, our fully trained senior staff will administer their medication. Medication is automatically ordered for residents and staff ensure the smooth running of medication management. Regular medication auditing takes place to monitor procedures.
Health professionals
Residents have visits from many different health professionals, including community nurses, nurse specialists such as for Parkinson’s and Diabetes, tissue viability nurses and physiotherapists, whether NHS funded or privately funded. When residents reach the end of life, we are able to work closely with community nurses to ensure pain relief and the best possible end of life care.
Other care services
Residents are able to have visits from the chiropodist, optician and dentist and would be supported by staff during these visits. There is a charge for these services. Visits are regularly arranged by care staff, but should a resident require any of these services at any time, then they would be arranged. Staff can escort residents to hospital or other health appointments, for which there is a charge.