Marvellous Medicines & Nutritional Nuggets remote training sessions
These are multidisciplinary structured training sessions delivered by care home pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and dietitians which were developed as an innovative way to interact and engage remotely (through MSTeams) with care home staff during the COVID19 pandemic and those involved in supporting care homes. Care homes were struggling in isolation and this was an innovative way to keep them engaged, keep in contact and keep up morale during a very difficult time.
COVID19 infection affected older people differently – with loss of smell and taste, weight loss of up to 15% was seen in some individuals. In addition we know that nutrition is an important determinant of ageing well and delaying frailty. It was therefore agreed that MM&NN sessions would be needed to continue moving forward after the first wave of the pandemic. The sessions are multidisciplinary, primarily to promote and sign post to medicines optimisation good practice guidance (GPG) for care home staff (or those working with care homes) on the Frimley CCG (now Frimley ICB) webpage: <https://www.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/care-homes>
With reference to a specific topic and the corresponding GPG, MM&NN sessions are planned and delivered every 6 weeks with an option of two possible dates to allow care homes flexibility with workforce pressures.
The sessions are open to all care home staff but also those working with care homes such as PCN staff, community nurses and allied health professionals working with care homes eg paramedics as well as social care professionals including safeguarding and quality managers/staff.
These MM&NN trainign sessions have meant we have been able to keep in contact with care home staff remotely, the interaction has helped us keep up morale and offer support in a 'safe space' during heightened pressures and lots of change and political tension.
We believe these sessions have helped Frimley care homes keep abreast of good practice and changes even during these challenging times.
