Nursing Home Admission

Admission
Once we have received a referral, be it from GP, social services or family member / next of kin…the first process is that of "pre-admission assessment". Such an assessment is vital, as it ensures that we can meet all of the needs of the prospective resident. Once the resident is admitted, we start from the ground up in terms of assessment and care planning. We, of course, take in to consideration medical history, but we like to re-assess every part of an individual to ensure that all the information we have is current. From this information, care is planned by our nurses, who represent both the disciplines of general nursing and psychiatry, ensuring a holistic and detailed plan of action pertaining to meeting all needs.

Care plans are, wherever possible, drawn up with both the resident and family to ensure that all are included and all are aware of not only what we are doing, but also why.

All assessments and care plans are evaluated every 28 days to ensure that all care is up to date and that any changes in presentation can be addressed as effectively as possible.

We enjoy a good working relationship with the local GP's and all residents at Southdowns will be allocated one of them. Special arrangement can be made if a GP from outside our area wishes to continue input. Medical cover is always available at Southdowns Nursing Home.

All other external healthcare is available at request (optician, chiropodist etc.)

Medical Cover
On admission it is assumed that residents will remain Registered with their own GP.

However, if this is not possible or the resident wishes to change their GP, staff will advise on the availability of a local GP and will help to arrange Registration.

Arrangements have been made for routine Medical cover.

Chiropodists and hairdressers can visit on request.

A separate physiotherapy and hydrotherapy facility is available within the grounds.