Recognising deterioration and supporting people with acute care needs

A guide for social care workers supporting people in care homes or their own home 

A new partnership resource developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) highlights the essential skills to respond to and care for people living in care homes or their own home, who have acute care needs due to COVID-19.

Recognising deterioration and supporting people with acute care needs during COVID-19 will be of value to staff caring for people in a care home or in their own homes, or those supporting staff in their role.

The resource provides guidance on the speedy recognition, assessment and escalation of concerns for a person who may be deteriorating. It also provides guidance on ongoing observation and monitoring of the unwell person, as well as the administration of oxygen. This builds on the many and varied skills staff already have.

They are keen to hear views on this new resource and comments can be shared using the anonymised feedback form in the website. Access the resource at https://learn.sssc.uk.com/coronavirus/acutecare/

The resource is also in the process of being uploaded to the NES Turas COVID-19 site at https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/30824/coronavirus-covid-19/practice-in-the-community-setting/social-care-workforce