Care work dilemma.

newbie01_2

Hi guys,

I can't give the name of the place for identity reasons but just after advice.

At the moment, at night, there are only 2 carers and 1 RGN.

1 carer for 23 people upstairs who need nursing needs and 1 carer downstairs for 14 people.

Sometimes there are two males or two females. The shift is 8pm-8am.

In the morning the work load is strenuous as you have to get ppl up and having to call the carer downstairs for hoisting assistance.

Surely this is not legal? Why? because what if a female client accuses a male carer, on his own on the floor of sexual assault, whether true ot lie, is a concern as there should be both female and male on the floor at least.

I need advice and possibly whistle blow on this because I am fed up! and clients are put at risk.

scheming_gypsy

newbie01 wrote: »

Surely this is not legal? Why? because what if a female client accuses a male carer, on his own on the floor of sexual assault, whether true ot lie, is a concern as there should be both female and male on the floor at least.

I need advice and possibly whistle blow on this because I am fed up! and clients are put at risk.

Why are the clients put at risk if they're going to lie about sexual assault? they're only at risk if the carer is going to asault them and that can be from any sex of carer.
I don't know the rules on it but i'm pretty sure there aren't any that say you can have what you're asking.

Can't work out why you're fed up with it either, although it sounds like you don't agree with something and have convinced yourself it's wrong.

newbie01_2

When I said put at risk I meant only having 1 carer on the floor at night for 12 hours looking after 23 clients...

Also not fair on the worker.

saintjammyswine

While clients may not be at risk from false accusations, the staff members certainly are, contact CQC and ask their advice.

ferrett100

Hi there
I am a care manager for a large home and this has always been one of my main issues. It is seen as 'good practice' to have a choice of male and female carers and there used to be legalities surrounding how many staff/patient ratios is expected - however, this is all a little muddy now and not so clear cut. It also depends on whether you are a nursing home or residential. Nursing homes obviously have higher needs people, therefore there is a need for more staff.
If you have any concerns, talk to the regulator, CQC (their number is on the website) and you can discuss this in confidence with someone there.
In my experience, it is usually all to do with cost! The more staff there on, the less profit the owner makes. However, if all the patient risk assessments are up to date and reflect the true needs of the patient, which in turn has justified the amount fo staff........Above all else, remember that you are in a profession where the needs of the person come first and you may be the only voice they have to raise concerns and to speak for them - nothing ever changes if no-body says anything.
Perhaps try talking to your home manager first and tell him/her your concerns. How do other staff feel? Then talk to CQC if you are still not satisfied.....
Good luck.

newbie01_2

It's a nursing home. So you can imagine 'pad changes' for 23 ppl on your own, male and female clients, 3 times during the night at set times...

It's crazy and yes I deffinately will phone CQC. Just needed some other peoples thoughts on here. Thank you.

Night staff are stressed. No point talking to the manageress. Why? Because she has the nerve to moan if something is not done in the morning despite 2 ppl getting 9 ppl up for both down and up stairs. As well as pad changes, hoisting ppl for commode, few breakfasts, laundry, bin rubbish, kicthen dishes etc.

Certainly going to take this further and see what develops. Few clients know this and are fed up.

davenport151

I think you should talk to your manager in the first instance to see if he/she can help or has any ideas how this could be better managed. Where I work it was arranged that the coming on shift took on some of the workload by getting some people up when they came in -as long as they are not all early risers of course!
sorry just seen your post in regards to the manageress

Cherry_Bomb

In the UK there is no legal requirement to have a certain staff: patio ratio in a care setting.

There might be some sort of legal requirement though regarding health and safety? I'm not 100% sure but hoisting does require 2 members of staff for safety reasons, maybe you could go down that route with your manager?

BrettMorganxD

My old nursing home was as bad as this,

See PM, OP.

skibadee

Thats awful....I worked at the other end of the scale...with children, ratios are in place...ie., under 2's 1 staff to 3 children, 2 - 3's 1 staff to 4 children, pre-shool 1 staff to 8 children.

2 staff together in anyone area to safeguard both children and staff.

newbie01_2

BrettMorganxD wrote: »

My old nursing home was as bad as this,

See PM, OP.

I have phoned CQC and spoke to the inspector for my home and pretty much said everything to her so I will leave it in her hands and if I hear nothing I will chase her up 3 weeks or so from now.

It's the law anyway should a carer have concerns to report it. Just playing it smart so that the manageress doesn't try some malicious come back if steps are taken. Identity kept secret in other words.