UKABIF Summit 2023 Reflection

By Articles

Monday 6th November played host to the UKABIF (United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum) Summit 2023. This event brought together key parties involved in the rehabilitation and care of individuals with ABI (Acquired Brain Injury).  

Barry Lehane RGN, LLM (Head of Case Management and Rehabilitation), Jennifer Mitchell BA (Hons), CMgr MCMI (Head of Business Operations), and Andrew Williams CMgr FCMI (Divisional Director) provide a UKABIF Summit 2023 Reflection. 

Hosted in Manchester, the UKABIF Summit 2023 had a feature rich programme consisting of 14 speakers and provided valuable insights into the latest research, treatment approaches, and support systems for those affect by a brain injury. Industry leading specialists and organisations to exchange ideas and insights into the brain injury sector. Attendees represented legal firms, case managers, rehabilitation providers, and professors. 

UKABIF Summit 2023 

A standout speaker slot was the “Experts by Experience” talk, in which three young adults shared their inspiring and triumphant stories of returning to education following a brain injury. Their victories extend beyond the physical and cognitive challenges of brain injuries; they have also confronted the demanding task of resuming their education.  

Hearing their accounts first-hand, reaffirmed the nature of the work all in audience undertake daily to support the neurorehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, and the confidence of those with brain injuries. Individuals with a brain injury are a testament to the human sprit’s capacity to overcome adversity; an underscoring of the truth that every setback bears the potential for an even greater comeback. 

Meeting various firms and individuals who represent through litigation proceedings, support an individual through rehabilitation, and support those with brain injuries was a great tool to share ideas and inspirational stories to support others. These insights and experiences offer an incredibly valuable perspective into the possibilities that lie in the present and future of rehabilitation and reintegration after catastrophic injuries, especially for younger individuals who are working towards the sake of their future. 

Looking ahead 

This unique opportunity to share a space with like-minded individuals and firms allows Empowering U Case Management (EUCM) to think about our clients’ journeys; a reaffirmation of the EUCM aim to guide our clients on a rehabilitation journey that facilitates a return to an active, satisfying life. The speakers and networking opportunities throughout the event motivated the entire EUCM team to further our mission and highlighted the importance of continued client support through their journey of recovery. A valuable perspective was the possibilities and the future of rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals following a catastrophic injury, especially for younger individuals who are working towards the fate of their future.  

Events like these are incredibly important in sharing the latest within ABI and BI rehabilitation. Empowering U greatly appreciate the opportunity to be able to attend and exhibit, listen to important topics from brilliant speakers, and meet fellow industry professionals. We have brought a lot of things back with us that we intend to implement throughout the business going forward. 

Looking into 2024, Empowering U are keen to attend this brilliant platform again. Thank you UKABIF for an amazing summit! 

The Synergy between Complex Care and Case Management

By Articles

The Empowering U umbrella encompasses Empowering U Complex Care (EUCC) and Empowering U Case Management (EUCM) in which both teams work in conjunction with one another to ensure a client with complex care needs receives the specialist care and support that they need in both the home and the community. 

Empowering U Complex Care was launched in 2014 by the Jakhu family who have over 30 years’ experience owning and operating care providers in the UK. Originally based in the West Midlands, Empowering U have gone from strength to strength and now provide complex care services nationwide through a network of tightly knit, specialist and dedicated teams of complex carers.  

Empowering U understood that to ensure the highest calibre of care and support to those with complex care needs, they needed to create a second strand to the business – Empowering U Case Management, which they launched in early 2023. The two interdependent halves of the business ensure a seamless integration of complex care and case management. 

The Role of Empowering U Complex Care 

Empowering U Complex Care takes a truly holistic approach; engineering and implementing a multifaceted package of personalised care that is constantly monitored to ensure the client is receiving appropriate support.  

Our complex care team work in tandem with one another, from the highly trained members of management to the support staff who have the skills and knowledge, this allows us to not focus on ‘what we can’t do’ but instead focus on what a client wants to achieve to enable them to lead a fulfilling life.  

Empowering U Complex Care understand the need to provide a range of services to suit all of client’s needs: 

Nurse-led Care

Our team create bespoke support plans which capture the wishes and needs of a client. For example, if a client is an in-patient, our team will work closely with the discharge team to ensure a personalised care plan is ready to go upon discharge. Through one-to-one or two-to-one support and the assignment of ‘key workers’, we ensure that a client’s needs and rights are always upheld. Knowing there is always a safe, trustworthy team to rely on, means our clients feel empowered to communicate with us easily and freely. Our nurse-led care services are provided by a specialist team and include: 

  • Catheter, Bowel & Stoma care 
  • Complex Bowel Management 
  • Tracheostomy & Ventilated care 
  • PEG (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) and JEJ (Jejunostomy) Acquired Brain Injury support 
  • Suctioning Oral and Tracheal 
  • Oxygen Therapy 
  • Epilepsy Rescue Medication – Buccal Midazolam & Rectal Diazepam 
  • NG (Nasogastric) 
  • Ileostomy (Stoma / Colostomy) 
  • Cough Assist and Assisted Cough 
  • CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) 
  • BPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) 
  • NIPPY (Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation) 

Our nursing team also provide Complex Care support in a household setting – all our clients are assigned key workers and are specialist providers of tailor-made care packages. We provide support for individuals with learning disabilities, mental health problems, Autistic-spectrum conditions, personality disorders, complex medical needs, and behaviours that challenge.

Personal Care Support

Personal care provides an intimate and physical care package to ensures a client is supported by a care worker with activities such as washing, dressing, general hygiene assistance, or just being there to offer reassurance and guidance if required. Our care workers aid with the following: 

  • Bathing / Showering 
  • Washing & Drying Hair 
  • Bed baths 
  • Continence & Incontinence care 
  • Toilet and Bathroom assistance 
  • Oral Hygiene 
  • Shaving, Hair & Beard Care 

Learning Disabilities and Behaviours that Challenge

We understand the importance of inclusion and belonging within the community, and for clients with learning disabilities we fully embrace the vision of social inclusion. Working closely with relevant learning disability providers, current care providers, and other professionals to ensure we align our service to the exact needs.  

Transition Services

We can help to guide the young person, their family and all professionals involved with current care to ensure that the progression from childhood to adulthood is as smooth and trouble free as possible. Clarity during this time is vital, therefore, we will always be on hand to discuss any concerns or fears you may have and can offer support, guidance and direction to the correct sources of information.

Reablement

A short-term care package that allows a client to regain the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks or activities independently; ranging from daily domestic tasks to personal hygiene routines. Our specialist support staff have very intention to get a client back on thier feet. They will thoroughly assess the situation, needs and requirements, and work closely with the client or family members & friends to develop a detailed objective driven plan that aims to be achievable yet realistically tailored to your a client’s individual needs.

Respite and Occasion Care

We ensure that loved ones are being taken care of at the highest standard, which provides you with the reassurance that you need to allow yourself to take a break. Occasion care is the support and care required to enable you, or a loved one, to attend that special event. It doesn’t matter the event; Empowering U will provide trained and experienced care professionals to enable you to attend the event safely and in comfort.

Empowering U Case Management 

Empowering U Case Management have a team of 10 experienced case managers who provide clinical support and practical help to clients and their family whilst they navigate the litigation process. Our Case Managers are based throughout the country, and clients are matched with Case Managers based on proximity and specialist skillset. As a member of the British Association of Brain Injury and complex Case Management (BABICM), Empowering U supports both claimant and defendant parties through their litigation process and as such, have become a trusted partner for many Personal Injury Solicitors, Financial Deputies, and healthcare professionals throughout the UK. 

All of our Case Managers are registered with their own individual professional bodies and work to the code of conduct as specified by BABICM and Case Management Society UK (CMSUK), also following the Rehabilitation Code (2015). As part of Empowering U Case Management’s approach, our Case Managers will meet with a client, on a free no-obligation basis, to ensure both parties are the right fit with each other.  

The synergy between Empowering U Complex Care and EUCM elevates our capacity to provide exceptional, compassionate, and personalised care and case management for those with complex health needs” notes Jennifer Mitchell CMgr MCMI, Head of Operations.

Barry Lehane, RGN, LLM, Head of Case Management and Rehabilitation adds, “Empowering U is comparable to a tree – everything is under the one “tree” with all the branches leading back to the trunk. It means Empowering U Complex Care and Empowering U Case Management can work hand-in-glove to optimise the client’s journey, rehabilitation and quality life.

Empowering U Case Managers function as intermediaries, bridging the gap between clients and healthcare providers, facilitating access to the appropriate services and resources. Moreover, they serve as staunch advocates, ensuring that patients receive care that is both judicious and cost-effective. The purview of case management extends beyond healthcare, encompassing social services, mental health support, and even legal advocacy, contingent upon the unique needs of the client. 

The Symbiosis of EUCC and EUCM 

      1.    Comprehensive Assessment: The collaboration commences with a meticulous assessment of the client’s needs. Complex care teams understand the medical and psychological requirements, while case managers involve themselves into the broader social determinants of a client’s rehabilitation needs, including working with architects and contractors for housing, finding suitable transportation, and encouraging financial stability. This all-encompassing evaluation provides the bedrock for the creation of a meticulously tailored holistic care programme. 

      2.    Care Coordination: Complex care teams work with case managers to align medical treatment regimens with the broader social and emotional support. This ensures that the client’s rehabilitation journey remains unencumbered, transcending the constraints of medical appointments to encompass the acquisition of essential social services. 

      3.    Communication and Advocacy: Case managers function as the client’s unwavering advocates, transcending the complexities of medical terminology to ensure that clients and their families possess a thorough understanding of their rehabilitation. Case managers liaise with healthcare providers to guarantee that the client’s preferences and needs are upheld and respected. 

      4.    Preventive Measures: In concert, complex care and case management place a significant emphasis on preventive care. By skilfully addressing not only immediate health concerns but also the social determinants of health, they aim to mitigate the exacerbation of chronic conditions and reduce in-patient instances. 

      5.    Continuity of Care: The partnership between complex care and case management fosters a continuous trajectory in the client’s rehabilitation journey. 

From the client’s point of view, this symbiotic in-house relationship offers a myriad of advantages. It translates into a personalised programme, where their multifaceted care requisites are sensitively addressed. Furthermore, a client’s family is brought into the loop with every step of the journey, enabling all parties involved the chance to input on the rehabilitation of a client. 

How do Case Managers Reduce the Stress of a Client and Family?

By Articles

Overview

According to the Mental Health Foundation, at some point last year, 74% in the UK noted that they felt stressed and unable to cope. At the most basic level, stress is the body’s responses to pressures in life or situations and this varies greatly from person to person; it could be a breakdown in a relationship or a traumatic life-changing injury.

Stress Awareness Day 2023 takes place on 1st November. In this article we explore the crucial role that case managers play in reducing the stress and anxiety of all parties involved in a clinical negligence or personal injury claim, acting as intermediaries and an important representative. They not only represent the client and their wishes but liaise with lawyers, during litigation proceedings, through to healthcare providers, and architects.

Case Managers are introduced into a client’s journey from the outset of litigation, coordinating with defendant or claimant parties to ensure the right care and support is found for the client. From initial contact, a case manager will work with the other health and social care professionals to ensure the smooth running and co-ordination of a multi-disciplinary team, allowing a client’s needs to be met whilst supporting the family at the same time.

Managing stress in the early stages of an injury claim

A true appreciation of the client’s difficulties is crucial for a case manager in the initial stages. As many of the cases they are involved in are complex, their expertise is essential in linking the most suitable and cost-effective resources and services to a client, maximising their quality of life, and meeting their needs.

These initial stages are the most important for a client and their family and often the most stressful. Not only are they having to deal with the legal aspects of their case but also the emotional and life-changing side of it. Depending on how long the duration of a case is, the stress of the situation can be overwhelming, therefore, it is crucial the case worker has a rapport with the client, family, and legal team. They can help ease the burden through understanding of the case and by proposing a suitable rehabilitation plan.

Case Managers Role in Client Rehabilitation

Within 21 days of starting the claims process, an appointed case manager will assess the client, their needs, the wishes of the family, whilst following the Rehabilitation Code 2015. Through a thorough assessment, the case manager will construct a rehabilitation plan that encourages the most suitable medical, social, occupational, psychological, and physical recovery.

Once this plan is in place and agreed, it can be implemented. Just as each client and their needs are unique, so too is their rehabilitation plan; one client requiring hydrotherapy sessions, whilst another may require an assessment for a prosthesis.

A sturdy rehabilitation plan and a hardy case manager promotes a sense of calm throughout all involved within the case. Their comprehensive knowledge encourages a supportive atmosphere, something the Mental Health Foundation Research Report notes; a strong network of supportive individuals promotes practical advice that supports the reduction of stress. Case managers will be with the client and family throughout the litigation process and rehabilitation journey and in having a close-knit connection, a case manager can be the shoulder to lean on when things get hard, they can be the key-factor in saving a familial relationship after a traumatic incident, and they are often regarded as a friendly face when things get tough – in some cases a life saver.

How Case Managers can reduce their own Stress

It is essential that an understanding of the stress that we go through as individuals differs immensely with the stress families and individuals go through following a catastrophic injury” comments Barry Lehane, RGN, LLM (Head of Case Management and Rehabilitation).

Barry continues, “As an organisation, we support our case managers to understand and contextualise this stress and embrace the concept of ‘a problem solved is a problem halved’. We achieve this through regular supervision and ongoing contact with our case managers.

Everyone knows the correct pathway for broken bones – reset the bone, fit a cast, wait some time, and on to physiotherapy. However, mental health does not have a rulebook to fixing and healing; akin to case management, every person is different. Case Management is not an easy job. The empathetic and challenging work they do in supporting others often leads to an inattention of their own wellbeing and this is especially important when it is not just one case they are working on; it is often multiple – higher caseloads often equates to higher stress levels.

I’ve learned the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance to manage and reduce stress. Unlike in my earlier roles, where I would work for extended hours without taking breaks, I now ensure to combine my workload with much-needed pauses. If a task is getting too stressful, stepping away from the computer for a few moments allows me to regather my thoughts and return to work feeling refreshed” mentions Jenny Mitchell, BA (Hons) CMgr MCMI.

She continues, “Aside from these personal practices, I’ve completed a Level 2 certificate course in understanding mental health first aid and workplace mental health advocacy. This training has not only equipped me with the knowledge to recognise signs of stress in myself but has also enabled me to support and guide my colleagues through their stress handling mechanisms. This comprehensive approach towards managing stress has been effective for my mental well-being, making me feel more balanced and in control”.

There are multiple ways a case manager can implement methods to help reduce their stress level:

  • Understand the source of the stress – Stress comes in many forms, and it is always easier said than done to consider a trigger, however, understanding the cause of stress is often the best remedy and can help to alleviate this. Some factors that can trigger stress are organisational, interpersonal, personal, environmental.
  • Practicing self-care – This is essential for any individual working in an environment where there is a lot of pressure such as case management. Working to maintain the physical, mental, and emotional health through exercises such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and doing hobbies work towards reducing stress levels. Self-care also involves setting boundaries, delegating tasks, regular breaks, and saying no.
  • Seeking support and supervision – Seeking out the support from colleagues, mentors, managers, and peers can provide feedback, advice, and validation. These not only help to reduce stress levels through socialisation, but they can also provide vital support when working through complex cases.
  • Celebrating achievements – Case managers will often focus on the problems and difficulties of their clients and their role, sometimes leading to frustration and discouragement. However, it is important to celebrate successes and achievements. Acknowledging your efforts and consequently rewarding yourself for these, sharing stories, and receiving feedback are all good ways to improve self-esteem and in-turn reduce stress levels

The list is not exhaustive but offers methods to help reduce stress levels.

Director Nicola Protheroe-Jones appointed Governor of Black Country NHS Foundation Trust

By Charity and Community, News

Empowering U Director and Head of Services, Nicola Protheroe-Jones, has been re-appointed as a Governor of Black Country NHS Foundation Trust. Nicola has already completed a 3-year stint in the role, and this further 3-year tenure is a testament to the positive impact that she has had.

Nicola brings to the role over 30 years’ nursing experience, as well as the expertise and experience gained as a Director of Empowering U.

“As a Governor, I’m involved in a multitude of activities as part of my role. Whilst attendance at Board Meetings is a key part of it, I’m also involved in monitoring aspects of patient care, which includes spot checks on wards and monitoring processes to ensure positive patient progress and outcomes” explains Nicola.

“It’s important that I adopt a hands-on approach to the role, which can (if required) involve challenging and holding to account Trust executives.”

Most recently, Nicola met with Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive and Tom Cahill, National Director for Learning Disability and Autism at NHS England to discuss the unique work done by Empowering U’s emergency response team which handles crisis situations involving patients with learning disabilities and autism, thereby reducing hospital admissions. This programme is unique in the UK, and 4 other UK Trusts are keen to learn more from Nicola about this service and how they can adopt a similar approach.