Training and staff awareness
Q1. What training is provided/sourced by the Trust to raise awareness among staff (in particular ward based staff) about the needs of inpatients with Parkinson’s, particularly around timing of medication for these patients?
Medicines Management eLearning – recommended minimum frequency every 2 years. Parkinsons Medication is listed as one of the RED FLAG drugs identified in the training.
Q2. How many a) staff overall and b) ward based staff have undertaken such training during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 to date?
1374 staff have completed this training within the 12 months 2017/18.
2400 staff have completed this training within the 12 months 2018/19.
It is not possible to identify which of these are attributed to ward-based staff from our reports system. However, this learning module is only required of staff in patient-facing roles.
Alert system
Q1. Does the Trust have any kind of electronic (or other) alert system in place to flag to the Parkinson’s service when a person with the condition is admitted to hospital in a) a planned way and b) as an emergency?
NO
Q2. If the Trust does not have an alert system, how are the Parkinson’s specialist service notified and subsequently involved in the care of a person admitted with Parkinson’s (whether or not Parkinson’s is the reason for admission.)
We do not have a specialist Parkinsons Disease service. This is provided by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and also from ELHT CCGs for East Lancashire patients
Self-administration of medication policies
Q1. Does the Trust have a self-administration of medication policy? If a policy does not currently exist, are there any current plans to implement one?
Yes a Standing Operating Procedure is in place, however implementation not widespread.
Q3. If a self-administration policy is not implemented, why is this the case?
The Trust does not have bedside lockers or other secure storage areas on most wards that enable medicines to be adequately used by patients or carers with an appropriate level of security.
Q2. If a self-administration policy is in place what systems and protocols are in place to a) ensure full and effective implementation and b) monitor its implementation?
No such system in place.
Carers
Q1. Does the Trust have a policy that allows carers to visit the person with Parkinson’s they care for outside of visiting hours?
We have open visiting for all patient’s family, friends and carers with flexibility on an individual patient basis for visiting outside these open hours based on the needs of the patient. This is for all patients and not just for patients with Parkinson Disease.
Q2. What training do ward staff receive to ensure they fully understand how a carer can support an inpatient with things such as mobilising and their medication regime etc?
Care plans allow for personalised entries to specifically meet the needs of patients and carers, re mobility. Ward based therapists would assess and then advise nursing staff on suitable handling techniques to continue with.
Q3. What systems and protocols are in place for ward staff to work with carers supporting the person with Parkinson’s in hospital to ensure flexibility when the need arises?
Staff are aware of our involvement with Carers Link and other 3rd sector agencies but this is not specific to patients with Parkinsons Disease.
Practical resources
Q1. Is the Trust aware of the practical resources available from Parkinson’s UK to support Parkinson’s patients getting their medication on time (e.g. laminate bedside clocks, washbags) and how to access these resources?
Yes
Q2. Does the Trust make use of these practical resources?
Some resources are in use such as Get it On Time stickers
Patient safety incidents
Q1. Are incidents of a) missed Parkinson’s medication doses and b) delays to the administration of doses of Parkinson’s medication reported as patient safety incidents through local reporting arrangements?
Yes
Q2. a) How many Parkinson’s patient safety incidents relating to medication were recorded in your Trust in the last reporting period?
Less than 5
Q3. How many complaints has the Trust received about missed or delayed administration of Parkinson’s medication in a) 2017/2018 and b) 2018/2019 to date?
Less than 5
Please note that we are unable to provide the data for categories where there are less than 5 individuals involved in the question, as the disclosure of data could lead to an individual being identified or personal data being disclosed in breach of the Data Protection Act.