23/11/2024
Snowy Saturday’s ❄️
A little bit of cold weather and snow doesn’t stop us here in Sunderland!
Joke: How did the snowman get to work? ☃️
By icicle 🚲. Just kidding, our carer Clint definitely had the heating blasting in the car during their visits this morning. 🚙 🥶
For all our carers and other healthcare professionals delivering care in the poor weather conditions, here are some things to consider:
•Always plan ahead if poor weather is forecast.
•Keep in regular contact, so we are aware you are all safe.
•Wear extra layers to keep you warm between calls. Thermals, hats, gloves and scarves will help to keep you toasty and a flask of hot tea or coffee is a bonus too.
•Pack emergency supplies in your car in case the weather turns bad. Include some water, food, a blanket, de-icer, wellies, a portable phone charger and a snow shovel to help you out of tricky situations.
•Keep warm clothing and blankets in your car in case of an emergency.
•Give yourself extra time between calls to de-ice your car and drive slowly and safely to your next destination.
•Please do not feel like you need to rush between calls; communicate to the office and out of hours if running late. We will then inform your customers.
•Get breakdown cover and ensure you have suitable roadside assistance in place. Keep the emergency phone number in your car in case you need it.
•Remember to utilise your flashlight on your phone when walking up customers pathways / drive ways in darker conditions.
•Wear suitable shoes for the weather condition; ice can become very dangerous around our customers’ homes which may not get gritted.
•Ensure our customers are wearing adequate and appropriate clothing for the winter months as well as ensuring they have plenty of food.
•Check customers boilers regularly, especially if they live alone or have a cognitive diagnosis.
•Report any concerns to the office immediately or the relevant healthcare professional; please do not forget to utilise the correct reporting / recording procedure on your APP.
•Update your contact details so that you can be contacted easily. Also, make sure you write down other emergency contact numbers in case you need them.
•Remember to login in and out on ACP so that we can check that you’re safe when working out in the community during the winter weather.
If you cannot get access to your customers home because they live on banks, park at the bottom and walk.
Drive on main roads that have been gritted as well as well-lit roads.
IS IT SAFE? WHAT WE WILL DO…
•Review and update all care plans to ensure that you have adequate time to deliver care and support alongside any extra winter challenges that come your way.
•Make emergency plans and contingency plans to ensure that care calls are covered if you or a colleague becomes ill this winter.
•We will look at the contingency plan in preparation to worse conditions to identify those who lives closer to our customers.
STAY SAFE! 💜
