Frequently Asked Questions about the Staywell 75+ Scheme
From other Professionals to Health Visitor.
RE: Aims of the Staywell Scheme.
Q1. What are the aims of the Staywell Scheme?
Ans:
To promote independence and maintain quality of life.
To prevent high cost admission to hospital/nursing homes where possible.
Q2. Do the aims reflect the NSF for Older People targets?
Ans: Yes. The scheme aims to support independence and promote good health
in older people.
RE: Patient Questionnaires.
Q3. What information is obtained from the annual postal (Staywell 75+
Annual Health Review Questionnaire) and the volunteer administered health questionnaire
(Winchester Disability Questionnaire)?
Ans: Information on health, psychological, social and
functional difficulties from the patients’ perspective.
4. Who analyses the information from the questionnaires?
Ans: The Staywell Scheme Health Visitor, RGN for Older People and the scheme
administrator.
RE: Targeted Assessments.
Q5. When does the Health Visitor decide to do an assessment?
Ans:
According to criteria developed for the Staywell 75+ Annual Health Review
Questionnaire.
Following an increase in disability score on volunteer administered Winchester
Disability Questionnaire.
To give support to a volunteer visitor.
In response to a direct request from other health and social service professionals
and voluntary agencies.
Additional support required.
Q6. What does the Health Visitor look for during a home assessment?
Ans:
Health, functional, psychological and social difficulties.
Carer stress.
Understanding of and compliance with medication.
RE: Volunteers.
Q7. What is the role of the volunteer?
Ans: To visit patients, selected by the Health Visitor, on a regular
basis (3 or 6 monthly or more often according to need).
To obtain information on patients’ health.
To befriend patients where appropriate.
To assist with health promotion and education.
To ensure access to services via Health Visitor.
Q8. How are the volunteers’ expenses funded?
Ans: Through the Phoenix Surgery Charitable Trust, Cirencester and District.
Q9. How are the volunteers recruited?
Ans: Through publicity by South Cotswold council for Voluntary Services, local
media, Phoenix Surgery staff, and website, leaflets and posters in local libraries
etc,
Q10. How are the volunteers selected?
Ans: References are taken up by the South Cotswold Council for Voluntary Services,
following an interview by the Staywell Scheme Health Visitor Coordinator. Volunteers
are also required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
Q11. What age are the volunteers?
Ans: Any age, but predominately 45 – 65 years.
Q12. How are the volunteers trained?
Ans:
Initial training programme.
Ongoing training meetings.
Annual appraisal and discussion.
Q13. How are issues of professional accountability addressed?
Ans:
Establishment of boundaries of work for volunteers.
Continuing support and training by Health Visitor Co-ordinator and members
of the Staywell management team.
Q14. How are confidentiality issues raised?
Ans:
Volunteers sign a confidentiality agreement.
Training on confidentiality issues for volunteers.
Q15. Do patients like talking to volunteers about their health?
Ans: Yes, when they feel reassured that the volunteers are trained and supported
by the Staywell team and the surgery clinical staff.
RE: Patient Information Requests.
Q16. How do patients ask for information?
Ans:
Via post: Staywell 75+ Annual Health Review Questionnaire (Q24).
Via Winchester Disability Questionnaire (Q19).
Face to face conversation with volunteer, Health Visitor, RGN Older People
and scheme administrator.
Via telephone.
Q17. What sort of information is requested?
Ans:
Services i.e. NHS dental care, chiropody, hearing aids and
hearing assessment clinics, day centre placements, opticians, domestic help,
Meals on Wheels, transport, voluntary services and organisations.
Finance: Attendance allowance and other benefits.
Housing matters: installation of ramps etc, general small
repairs and decorating, gardening.
Disabled Living Aids: grab rails, chair raisers, toilet
adaptations, wheelchair requests etc.
Health Issues: Diet, incontinence.
Q18. How are information requests dealt with?
Ans: By:-
Post – Facts sheets about dentistry, chiropody etc,
are sent direct to patient by the scheme administrator.
Telephone – Information and advice are given by the
administrator on all the matters listed in Q24 (Annual Health Review Questionnaire),
with appropriate Health Visitor support.
Face to face – By opportunistic discussion with the
scheme administrator and/or appointment with the Health Visitor or RGN Older
People
RE: Hours of Employment – Health Visitor, RGN for Older People & Administrator.
Q19. For how many hours a week are the Health Visitor, RGN Older people
and schemeadministrator employed?
Ans: Health Visitor = 24 hours per
week
RGN Older People = 12 hours
per week
Administrator = 12 hours per week
A
Member of the Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust
