When we moved offices at the start of 2020, we wanted to create a training space which could be multifunctional. Somewhere for our teams to get together socially (post-covid) as well as host team meetings, invite health experts to hold presentations and most importantly, use the space to recreate real-life client care situations using practical equipment that we use out on the field; to help our carers gain confidence and ability in their role as an Eidyn Carer before they are introduced to their first clients during shadow shifts.
We installed a fully-functioning Invacare Hospital Bed in our Training Centre, as well as an Sara Stedy – Sit-to-stand aid | Arjo and an Arjo Sara Stedy. We use the room to allow carers to interact with practical aids such as slide sheets, a CPR training mannequin (who our teams have affectionately named Bodie!), catheter care equipment and the use of real medicine dosette boxes when undertaking training on drug administration. The Training Room is also kitted out with a 45” widescreen TV and electronic tablets to give our Carers the ability to complete their e-training in our office as well as at home.
Our training dummy named Bodie used for palliative care training in Edinburgh.
Each month, the training room is used to induct new Home Care Assistants to the team. They attend a two-day hands-on training induction course delivered by our In-house Trainer, Michelle The room is also used for training existing staff, who attend face-to-face training update sessions with Michelle on various aspects of care such as
- Moving and Handling techniques,
- CPR/DNACPR
- Medication administration
- Regulatory updates
- Risk Assessments
- Catheter Care
- Fluid input/output
These training sessions also act as an open forum for our Teams to discuss their experiences out on the field and to collaborate and share their stories.
To accompany the hands-on practical training, each Care Assistant has access to our e-learning programme via Relias, our training provider. This allows our Care Assistants to complete their statutory/mandatory training, as well as learning clinical, soft-skills and leadership skills. Each course is industry recognised and CPD-certified and is counted as part of the Scottish Social Services Council requirements of 6o hours of learning over 5 years. Our online learning is easily accessible on a phone, tablet or laptop and is bitesize with each video module ranging from 15 mins to 1 hour. A new ‘theme’ is completed every quarter, our current theme is Dementia, which has included a Virtual Reality experience called ‘A Day in the Life of Henry: A Dementia Experience’ to help us empathise and support those with the disease by putting us in the shoes of ‘Henry’.
In March 2021, we incorporated another immersive experience into our Quarter 1: Dementia training programme, when our teams climbed aboard the Virtual ‘Dementia Bus’; one of 9 mobile dementia audio-visual simulators who tour around Britain, giving Carers an experience close to what dementia might be like for those living with the condition. The bus was parked outside Cramond Kirk, and due to covid restrictions, our Carers attended in pairs (all were Covid tested, temperature checked and PPE worn before entry). Everyone who attended found their time on the bus to be a really emotive and eye-opening experience. There were tears shed and interesting discussions to be had afterwards!
Some of our Eidyn Angels outside the training2care ‘Dementia Bus’.
In addition to this ongoing training programme, we also support our Home Care Assistants through formal vocational qualifications such as SVQ 2 and SVQ 3 Health and Social Care to assist in their career pathway within Eidyn Care. In the last 12 months, we have been delighted to fund and support five of our Carers through their SVQ 3 qualifications.
To find out more about our Eidyn Care training programme, please contact our Michelle, Our in-house Trainer or Camilla, Training Administrator on 0131 285 1221.