Good practice guide for Bristol’s care home staff
Bristol Sight Loss Council (SLC) has worked with Bristol City Council to produce a good practice guide for Bristol’s domiciliary, nursing, and residential care home staff.
The resource has been produced to raise awareness of the needs of blind and partially sighted (BPS) residents. These materials will be launched at the Bristol Social Care providers forum on Tuesday 28 March 2023.
Bristol SLC was made aware of the varying levels of vision awareness knowledge across nursing and residential homes in the area. Following discussions with Bristol City Council, they began work with two care providers to explore what could be done.
Top Tips guide
Emma Blackmore, Bristol SLC member, said:
“It is extremely important for people with a visual impairment living in residential care to have the support they need. It is common for older people to experience sight loss, and it is vital that staff are aware of the signs and know what to do to help people feel safe and comfortable. Bristol SLC is keen to make sure this happens, and we are pleased that people are engaging with us to make it happen.”
David Toole, Health and Social Care Manager, Bristol City Council, welcomed the launch. He said:
“Bristol City Council is pleased to support this programme. We hope these sessions lead to Bristol’s visually impaired citizens being happier and healthier, whether in their home or in a care home setting.”
Leanne Thorne, Charity Manager at The Cote Charity, one of the providers who helped produce the materials, said:
“We wanted to support elderly care home residents to feel more supported and understood. Whether this is in the approach of staff, or their environment, we want to ensure people have fulfilled lives and enjoy their experience.”
Mandy Borman, Registered Manager at Medacs Healthcare, added:
“These resources will provide a greater awareness to my staff that will further promote person-centred care to all our customers.”
Alun Davies, SLC Engagement Manager for South West England, said:
“We were delighted to work on this project with everyone involved. These guides highlight how nursing and care staff across the region and beyond can meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people in a residential home setting.”
Bristol Sight Loss Council is looking forward to rolling out the guide to domiciliary, residential and nursing homes across Bristol.
Join Bristol Sight Loss Council
Are you blind or partially sighted? If you live in Bristol and would like to advocate for visually impaired people, we’d love to hear from you.
Stay in the know
Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest news from our Sight Loss Councils.
Publication date: 29 March 2023