Long Term Care in St Edmunds, All Hallows

St Edmunds House is a registered long term care unit owned by All Hallows Healthcare Trust. The unit is situated within the community hospital of All Hallows, Ditchingham, Suffolk. St Edmunds House is designed to provide 24 hour nursing care to seven service users aged 18 and over with a physical or sensory disability.

St Edmunds House is efficiently managed by Senior Matron Janet Dunning. Janet is a first level nurse with a B.Sc. (Hons) in nursing studies. Janet leads a team of skilled nursing staff, comprising trained nurses and NVQ qualified staff.

The nursing team aims to provide high quality, individualised, holistic nursing care in a safe, homely environment. Trained nurses are available 24 hours a day to advise on nursing care or personal matters. They work with service users to establish a plan of care which meets their nursing needs and promotes their independence.

This plan of care is reviewed on a daily basis by the nursing staff and three monthly by manager Janet Dunning and St Edmunds House is specifically designed to meet the needs of service users with a diagnosis of a chronic progressive or static neurological condition. There are many types of neurological conditions, but the more common conditions we can help with are:

· Multiple Sclerosis
· Parkinson's Disease
· Huntingdon's Disease
· Motor Neurone Disease
· Cerebral Palsy
· Muscular Dystrophy
· Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy

 An on site activities co-ordinator arranges various activities and where ever possible local trips are arranged using our well equipped mini bus.  A sensory room situated within the hospital is available to use containing sensory equipment and activities, to benefit specific sensory processing difficulties.
 

Sensory Garden

A sensory garden incorporating raised beds giving the service users an opportunity to do gardening themselves was open in June 2009 by members of the Chance family after farmer and former magistrate David Chance donated some money in memory of his wife Margaret.

Patients and residents of St Edmunds House and people from the day care centre have a beautiful sensory garden to relax in.

Health

Health needs will be catered for by our highly skilled multi-disciplinary team. We have two booked doctors visits per week and of course visits can be arranged at other times should they be required. Trained nurses, specialist nurses, a dietician, and physiotherapists are available along with our own care staff and pastoral care.

Activites

Service users are encouraged to maintain any leisure interests or previous hobbies and given the choice of joining in activities. Various musical and other events are scheduled for the service users enjoyment throughout the year in our ‘Day Treatment and Therapy Centre’ situated in the well maintained grounds behind the hospital. The nursing team in the day care centre have specialised training and skills to adapt to individual patients’ needs. The centre is very well equipped with aids for disabled and dependent patients.

It provides a range of services designed to deliver social stimulus and ease of access to clinical assessment, providing a broad base of care that supports care in the community. It also provides palliative day care.

There is a library facility which can supply large print books, talking books and newspapers. A multi-denomination chapel is also available on site for the service users with a weekly service.
Facilities

St Edmunds House has an open visiting policy and welcomes visitors throughout the day. Should the service user wish, family and close friends may also take part in basic care.

There is a large, bright lounge and a dining room with beverage making facilities. Each service user has their own single room, six of our rooms have an en suite toilet and washing facilities. The other has facilities immediately adjacent to the room. There are two additional bathrooms and a shower room, all of which are wheelchair accessible and have hoist facilities.

St Edmunds House also provides a physiotherapy and occupational therapy service within the unit. Other onsite facilities include chiropody, hairdressing, a beautician and a complementary therapist, all available at small extra cost. Service users are also welcome to retain the services of their existing therapists provided the unit is aware of the identity of such persons and their visiting times.

The staff maintain their respect for service users privacy and dignity by knocking and awaiting permission to enter any room. Service users also have their own key. St Edmunds House is set in large grounds which are wheelchair accessible.