Patient’s warm smiles are a testament to Megan’s care

On-site: Director of Operations Helen Woodiwiss meets our At Home Support Reablement Team based at Aspect Court and heads out on a visit alongside Rehabilitation Support Worker Megan Jones

Spending time with the At Home Support Reablement team was a real “back-to-the-floor” exercise for me, taking me back to my days as a district nurse.

After attending the start of a shift and afternoon huddle, I joined Rehabilitation Support Worker (RSW) Megan Jones at patient Joyce Brooks’ home in Bulwell.

It was good to see how the process is working for the team of 50 support workers – from the allocation of shifts and the twice daily huddles through to visiting patients’ homes and writing up the notes after each visit.

The team operates seven days a week from 7am to 10pm with each RSW completing an average of seven visits per shift. Each day is split into two shifts – 7am to 3pm and 2pm to 10pm.

Through the huddle co-ordinators and supervisors check in with team members with a good two-way flow of information – important details shared, essential updates provided and colleagues able to raise any concerns.

Megan has been an RSW with CityCare for more than four years now. She loves the role and cannot see herself leaving CityCare (it’s always great to get feedback like this).

It was also good to see the welcome Meghan received from her first patient of the day Joyce Brooks,91, and her daughter Jane, who greeted us with warm smiles.

Joyce is on our At Home Support Reablement programme having been hospitalised for five weeks over Christmas and into the New Year. RSWs like Megan are helping her regain her strength and confidence. Having been in a bed for five weeks she is grateful the team is “helping get her legs stronger”.

During our 30-minute visit Megan encouraged and helped Joyce complete two sets of leg exercises and to move unaided from sitting positions four times. Remaining active is so important for our frail patients, helping to maintain muscle strength and the ability to remain in their own homes.

Thank you to Megan and the whole team, including all the co-ordinators, supervisors RSWs and  clinical colleagues who support the team. It was good to see their work at first-hand and it was a great reminder of the pivotal role they play.

They are there for some of our most frail patients, helping them reach their mobility goals, regain their fitness and their independence.