Our professional teams ensure that our residents access tailored programmes of treatment and support in a range of environments including a dedicated health centre and modern facilities for learning, sport, recreation and leisure.
Medical and Therapy Support
We have an on-site clinic for our own specialist doctors and with visiting GP cover from Chelford Surgery. This ensures all urgent and non-urgent needs can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. Our nursing team support the GP service, offering 24 hour cover and support and advice to the residential teams.
GP Services
- Treatment of chronic common illnesses and other acute disorders
- Referrals to secondary care
- Annual Physical Examinations
- Long-term condition reviews
- Vaccinations
- National screening management
Click the link below to visit the Chelford Surgery website.
Nursing services at David Lewis
A minor injury clinic helps to prevent visits to hospital A&E departments. It is also important that we work closely with our local hospitals to ensure people receive the best possible care, from admission to discharge, should there be a need to be referred or admitted. Our one page Patient Passports support this process and each resident has one which travels with them if they need hospital treatment, making sure important information is passed on efficiently.
Our services go far beyond what you would expect. Our multi-disciplinary team meets regularly to discuss, review and evaluate each person’s progress with health matters, skill development and behaviour. Our on-site consultants offer expert advice, assessment and diagnosis of people’s on-going health matters. Residents can access specialist:
- Neurologists
- Registered Mental Health Nurses, Registered General Nurses and Registered Learning Disability Nurses
- Clinical Psychologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Neuropsychiatrists
- Speech and Language therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Social Workers
- Opticians
- Pharmacists
- Dietitians
- Visiting Dentists
- Chiropodists
- EEG facilities
The Speech and Language Therapy Service
David Lewis has a well-established team of Speech and Language Therapists and Assistants who provide communication and dysphagia support for the service users at David Lewis. We work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide intervention alongside other medical and therapeutic advice and support. We work collaboratively with staff, the wider MDT and with families / carers, aiming to train and support all communication partners around the service user to ensure they have the knowledge and confidence required to effectively support good communication.
We promote communication for everyone, supported by a Total Communication environment which is maintained by the support teams who receive training and support from us. All people need means, reasons and opportunities to communicate; without these they are at risk of becoming socially isolated which can lead to unhappiness and frustration. We recognise how important it is for our service users to be supported to communicate using the method which is most functional and effective for them, whether that’s speech, Makaton sign, gesture, body language, or use of a low- or high-tech communication aid.
We also provide assessment, support and advice for service users who have difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia). Many people with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities have dysphagia and are at risk of choking, aspiration (fluid in the lungs) and other problems at mealtimes. By working together with the person, the care teams and the MDT we aim to establish and implement strategies, specialist equipment and advice that will reduce dysphagia risks as much as possible while also improving swallow safety and enjoyment as much as possible.
We identify, promote and support:
- Inclusive communication
- Communication friendly environments
- The use of visual support and signing
- Functional communication skills for life
- Accessible information
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support expression (as appropriate)
- Differentiated and bespoke communication solutions
- Safer eating and drinking.
Psychology and Behaviour Support Services Team (PABSS)
Clinical psychologists, behaviour management advisors and psychiatric/learning disability nurses work as part of our multidisciplinary team. They undertake specialist assessments and advise on the management of a wide range of behavioural issues.
Our PABSS team works with the resident to establish the root of the problem. The team develops a detailed plan to support the person in managing their behaviour. The staff team will receive a copy of the plan and help to support the person by following the suggested strategies. The team can offer general support and advice, whilst providing help to people with a range of emotional issues.
Transitions are a key time for any of our residents and the PABSS team support the admission or discharge process and work with people on a 1:1 or group basis.
Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy and Occupational Therapy Team
The David Lewis Centre has a well-equipped modern physiotherapy department which includes a hydrotherapy pool and a gymnasium.
Paediatric and adult care is given by an experienced team, providing a wide range of treatments aimed at improving the quality of life for our residents.
What we do
- Assessments of service users
- Individual and group treatment
- Design and delivery of programs to maintain and improve mobility
- Provision and maintenance of manual handling equipment
- NHS Orthotic Clinic (provision and maintenance of supportive equipment e.g. splints, helmets)
- NHS Wheelchair Clinic (assessment and provision of wheelchairs including special wheelchairs)
- Provision of training, guidance and support to staff when required ( e.g. for the use of specialised equipment)
Types of treatment
- Exercise programs
- Gym sessions
- Hydrotherapy
- Rebound
- Walking re-education
- Chest physiotherapy
- Sessions using supportive equipment
- Postural management
The Occupational Therapy Service supports service users to maintain or improve independence in everyday life such as; self-care, productivity and leisure activities. We currently have visiting consultant OTs who support our on-site service and an OT Sensory and Functional Equipment Coordinator
An Occupational Therapist will complete a range of specific, holistic assessments which are client centred and identify difficulties and goals the service user wishes to work on. The service is delivered using Occupational Therapy Consultants and Skilled SAFEC (Sensory and Functional equipment Coordinator).
Interventions and treatment include:
- Provision of Equipment, aids, adaptations to the environment to improve engagement.
- Motor skill development and activities of daily living support.
- Sensory screening/assessment, observations and individualised programmes.
- Supporting staff to execute the programmes and embed required strategies.
- Demonstrating safe equipment use to staff.
Assessment and Treatment
Epilepsy Assessment for David Lewis Residents
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological condition. It impacts over 450,000 people in the UK alone. The effective diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is a complex process as it presents in as many as fifty different conditions. It can be diagnosed if people suffer seizures; there are around forty different types of seizure and a person may have more than one type.
Our clinical support services can help to identify the type of seizures that an individual is experiencing, leading to an improvement in the treatment options. Everyone’s epilepsy is unique and will impact on their lives in different ways.
Diagnostic assessment may include Ambulatory EEG in combination with medical, psychology and nursing assessments as required. In addition to EEG the following assessments may be undertaken:
- Activity of daily living
- Physical function
- Communication
- Cognitive function
- Behaviour
- Vocational skills
Our residents can be supported through reductions or changes to their medication in a safe and controlled environment. This helps people to obtain maximum seizure control and reduce the number of side effects experienced, with a consequent improvement in the person’s quality of life.
In addition, people with epilepsy may be at risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). We undertake a risk assessment of SUDEP which provides information and advice on measures to reduce this risk.
Staff Training
The quality of our people is fundamental to the quality of the services that we deliver. This is why we place such importance on the initial training of our staff and why we support their continuing development over time.
In the first instance, we recruit people with the right attitude and the desire and enthusiasm to make a difference. We build upon that foundation by providing seventeen days of induction training for care workers, including a period of work shadowing. In subsequent years, staff receive seven to eight days of additional training in each year to ensure that their skills remain current. As we are working with vulnerable young people and adults, part of that training addresses the topic of safeguarding.
We supplement formal training with a system of regular supervision and performance appraisal and ensure effective communication within and between teams.
We encourage staff feedback and value and act upon it as part of a culture that actively encourages continuous learning and development.
Facilities
Across our Warford site, we have a range of excellent, modern facilities for sport, recreation, leisure and learning:
Swimming pool and sensory spa – Our indoor pool is open seven days per week and is used for lessons, therapy programmes and recreational swimming. In common with all of our facilities, the pool is fully accessible. The pool is complimented by a sensory spa to promote wellbeing and stimulate the senses.
JD’s – Outstanding modern facilities are accessed by increasing numbers of people from Cheshire and South Manchester who attend daily to join our residents and take part in a wide range of popular vocational and leisure activities.
Sports hall and gym – The gym has specialist equipment, designed for people with disabilities. The equipment uses air pressure rather than weights to provide resistance, ensuring that the environment is safe.
Multi-use games area (‘MUGA’) – The MUGA all-weather pitch provides an outdoor environment in which to play a number of games.
Bowling green – The bowling green is used extensively, particularly by our adult residents, whether competing in a bowling league or simply playing for fun.
Adapted bicycles – The circuit around our grounds provides a safe environment that can be explored on one of our adapted bicycles.
Sensory gardens and sensory rooms – Across our Warford site, there is a range of sensory gardens, offering the opportunity for relaxation and fresh air. We also have a number of sensory rooms.
Animal centre – Pay a visit to the donkeys, pigs, ducks, chickens, hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs that are part of our landbased service.
Media and IT suite – Featuring a radio station and a range of computers, the media suite is particularly popular with our college students.
Jo Jo’s Plaice – The café is run by our college students and adult users of our services and offers a range of lunch options for staff and residents.
Juice bar – With a modern interior, the juice bar offers breakfast, coffee and lunch options and is run by our college students.
Safeguarding
David Lewis has robust procedures in place in relation to the protection of those in our care. Our procedures work in line with Cheshire East County Council Safeguarding policies and current legislation. These procedures are embedded with our staff through our ongoing training programmes.
David Lewis has a dedicated social work team which is the lead for all referrals of allegations, suspicions and concerns and we operate a whistleblowing policy to ensure that staff should have no fear about reporting any such concerns.
Transport
We operate a fleet of minibuses that provides transport for our residents to and from various activities.
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