• The Home has a modern Fire Alarm System fitted, with "Fire Exit Notices" and "Fire Emergency Instruction Notices" displayed at strategic points throughout the home, as advised by the local "Fire Department".
• Staff are instructed during induction training with regard to Fire Prevention/ Drills Policy this includes use of the homes fire appliances, evacuation, muster points, raising the alarm, etc.. Service Users are informed of the emergency procedure during admission.
• The local fire officer will test all fire systems and alarms 6 monthly, home staff will test them each week. Records are kept of all such testing as part of the Proprietor/ Managers responsibilities.
• All fire fighting equipment will be checked annually by a qualified fire extinguisher maintenance engineer.
• Where possible, furniture, fixtures and fittings must be made of fire-resistant or fire-retardant fabrics and materials.

Religion (Worship/Attendance at Religious Services)

Service Users may attend religious services either within or outside the home, as they so desire. If services are outside the home, the Service User should, if necessary and where possible, arrange for transport and accompaniment with friends or relatives. In the event of this not being possible, care staff amy accompany Service Users on specific occasions if staffing levels permit.

Every assistance will be given to Service Users to practice their chosen religion; assessment of religious specialist needs will be made on an indvidual basis, not withstanding of the constraints of the Home and its environment.

Service Users have the right to meet clergy of their chosen denomination at any time. If required, a private room will be made available for such meetings.

Contact with Family and Friends

Service User's family, relatives and friends are encouraged to visit the Service User regularly and maintain contact by letter or telephone when visiting is not possible. In these cases, staff will offer to assist the Service User to respond where help may be needed. Visitors will be welcomed at all reasonable times, and are asked to let the Person in Charge know of their arrival and departure from the home. For Security and Fire Safety reasons, visitors must sign the visitor's book on each occasion.

The Service User has the right to refuse to see any visitor, and this right will be respected and up-held by the Person-In-Charge who will, if necessary, inform the visitors of the Service Users wishes.

Bereavement

In the unfortunate event of bereavement, the family can expect every possible support and consolation fro staff.

Whereas funeral arrangements are usually made by the next of kin, the Home Staff can be relied upon to assist and explain what is required. Where there is no next of kin, the staff will attend to the necessary arrangements.

Leaving or Temporarily Vacating

If a person wishes to be discharged from the Home, then 4 weeks notice must be given of this intention, or 4 weeks fees paid in lieu of notice. These conditions are waived during the 4-week trial period. If a Service User temporarily moves out of the Home (e.g. to receive hospital treatment) the bed is retained for a period of eight weeks, provided 80% of the normal fee is paid. In the case of social service funded Service Users, this retention period would be reviewed by the Home Manager.

Monitoring and Quality

Within the Home, there are various systems, which ensure that close monitoring is maintained on all of the Home's services and procedures. Attention to the smallest detail is pivotal to everything that we do.

An important part of our quality programme is to involve the Service Users and their relatives. We regularly ask for comments on the Home, the staff and services we provide. Regular internal and external audits will be carried out on a regular basis.

Pets

We acknowledge the fact that many people have pets for company during their lifetimes, and that they may wish to bring an animal with them when they move. The management however, has a responsibility to all the Service Users with regard to Health and Safety, also as to their choice to have animals within the home. This is not to say we do not permit pets, the Manager will however treat each case dependant on need and the number of pets already at the home.

Medication

If a Service User wants to self-medicate, and is safe to do so, then all help and advice is given. Otherwise all drugs will be managed by the staff and dispensed and ordered for them under the instructions of the Doctor. Any Service User may request to see a doctor in private if they wish.

Telephone

The home has a phone, which can be used by the Service Users for incoming calls. It can also be used for outgoing calls at a nominal fee. Service Users may have their own private line through British Telecom at the standard rate. The payment for the service user's own private line will be their own responsibility.

Meals

Menus will be varied and favourite dishes and special diets can be catered for. A request form will be made available each day with the choice of menu for the next day. Service Users are encouraged to eat in the dining room but may eat in their own room if this is their choice.

Tea, coffee and hot drinks are served and available, visitors on request can also be catered for.

Laundry

The home has an Ozone machine. This machine enables the home to launder all washable materials on a low temperature cycle and guarantees that all known bacteria, (such as MRSA, Salmonella and Clostridium Difficele), will be eradicated during the wash cycle. This effectively eliminates the danger of cross infection from these virulent infections which modern, low temperature wash fabrics present.