Author Archives: wendy
Norfolk mental health call centre set to hire extra staff to cope with demand
Mental health chiefs in Norfolk are set to begin a recruitment drive after being surprised by the volume of patient referrals to a new service.
Adam Gretton, Health correspondent Tuesday, February 11, 2014
6:30 AM
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) started its access and assessment service almost a year ago to create a singe point of contact for GPs across the county.
But the mental health trust is looking to boost staffing numbers at its call centre at Hellesdon Hospital after missing referral targets.
The organisation, which has been redesigning services over the last two years, is looking to hire two band 6 level staff and two band 5 level staff to extend the opening hours of the service from five days a week to six.
Would you put your life on hold to care for an ex who fell ill?
Rachel did – for the husband she divorced 11 years ago. Odd? No, she says it’s her duty
- Rachel Adriano, 67, looks after her ex-husband who has terminal cancer
- She divorced from Andy after 38 years
- Rachel takes him to hospital and was there to call an ambulance when needed
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For the first seven years after their divorce, relations between Rachel Adriano and her ex-husband were cordial but a little wary.
They managed to avoid each other except at Christmas and family gatherings. As time passed they became, if not exactly strangers, then no more than polite acquaintances.
When they parted in 2003, Andy had a serious drink problem, which he has since overcome, and Rachel felt that their 38-year-old marriage had sputtered to a natural end.
No such thing as typical day for a home carer
Recent bad press about care in the community has included stories about home carers turning up late, or not at all, not having time to talk, getting people out of bed mid-morning and putting them back there in the afternoon.
It’s a very demanding job but for every ‘bad’ carer there are many more good carers who are dedicated, professional, do a sterling job and deserve a pat on the back.
Their job is so much more than just turning up and making a cup of tea. They help with a huge number of tasks such as washing, dressing, cleaning, using the toilet, and, above all, helping clients retain their independence in their own home.
Carers provide a lifeline to many eldery people who depend on people like Agnes Hinrainer
