Secure Care UK - Sussex Business Heroes
We are front line staff and I would like to nominate the whole company for Sussex Business Heroes as each of us are playing a very important part and I believe our teamwork deserves the recognition.
Our patients are the number one priority and we take this priority very seriously. Our goal is to offer the safest and most secure transport for mental health patients in the country, whilst ensuring at all times our patients are treated with dignity and respect.
Our crews are highly experienced in transferring acute and forensic mental health patients as well as patients with learning difficulties, dementia, autistic spectrum, challenging behavior and older adult care. Our clients range from individuals to private hospitals, prisons, police custody suites and we also work in partnerships with NHS Trusts.
The Coronavirus and lockdown has impacted on physical health and caused increase in mental health issues. Recently our crews have been asked to assist on the patient wards in mental health hospitals.
The first point to note was that until 4 weeks ago, we had done nothing like this type of work before. While working in a crisis suite may seem similar, the patients’ presentations are significantly different and therefore our crews had to adopt a very different mindset.
- Observations of patients – it may sound quite simple but our crews have provided 24/7 support to ward staff in the observation of patients. This extends from simply sitting with patients and marking their activity, but all the way up to making a real difference to how a patient reacts. An example of this was a patient who had been highly volatile during their transfer and initial phase on the ward, but one of our crew used their de-escalation techniques and rapport building skills to calm the patient so that they could avoid being medicated.
- Engagement activities – our team members have to date played football, table tennis, cards, pool, chess and made jigsaw puzzles with patients to keep them engaged and active
- Supporting staff – our teams have supported the NHS staff in getting refreshments, teas and coffees, helped to serve meals and undertaken cleaning activities to free up staff for other tasks
Nominated by Linda Murray
HR Operations Manager
