We focus on the strengths and needs of individuals . Ensuring that moving and handling solutions are tailored to facilitate independence and wellbeing and empower individuals and their families by involving them in the assessment and decision-making process .”
We focus on the strengths and needs of individuals . Ensuring that moving and handling solutions are tailored to facilitate independence and wellbeing and empower individuals and their families by involving them in the assessment and decision-making process .”
Risk is not exclusive to the front line . Risk can exist at any or all levels of an organisation . An organisation needs to be productive , resilient and efficient for it to function as intended , and evolve and survive .
Investing in the right knowledge , skills and assistive devices can support these factors , not just for an organisation , but the wider health and care system .
As moving and handling activities are woven into and across the system , key moving and handling outcomes must be safety , effectiveness and efficiency , for the person , handler , team , organisation and system ( Thornton et al 2022 ).
The Kirklees optimised handling approach
Based on our learning from the experiences and challenges we have faced , we developed an approach to moving and handling that delivers safe , effective and efficient moving and handling solutions .
Recognising the value of a single handler , we embedded the approach into our standard practice . The principles of our approach are outlined below .
We use a single handler as a risk assessment baseline . Avoiding prejudicing the assessment , this starting point ensures all potential solutions are available from the start of the assessment .
As the assessment progresses , all techniques , devices and additional handlers prescribed will be justified .
We focus on the strengths and needs of individuals . Ensuring that moving and handling solutions are tailored to facilitate independence and wellbeing and empower individuals and their families by involving them in the assessment and decision-making process .
We do not recognise blanket policy or procedures . All assessments are individualised and focus on the person ’ s strengths and abilities . We do not use a ‘ one size fit all ’ approach .
We train all techniques and device use as a single handler method . To align with the risk assessment principle .
We work collaboratively . To ensure a unified and co-ordinated approach across the local and wider health and care system , we collaborate with other moving and handling leads . Building strong relationships with our independent care providers , we have developed a local moving and handling community .
We support all stakeholders . With our focus firmly on the person , we support all stakeholders to ensure their journey through the system is as smooth , expediate and consistent as possible .
Embedding the approach as ‘ normal ’ practice
As a specialist moving and handling ergonomics team , our primary responsibility is to guide the local system in adopting safe , effective , and efficient evidence-based practices .
Our practice not only ensures high standards of moving and handling practice and consistency ,
22 OTnews November 2024