I Have Been a Senior Charge Nurse Within a Learning Disability In-Patient Assessment/Treatment

Caroline’s Story

I have been a senior charge nurse within a learning disability (LD) in-patient assessment/treatment unit (Loch View) since it opened in January 2003. Prior to this I was a care manager at the RoyalScottishNationalHospital. Loch View opened on the closure of this large LD hospital.

Loch View has 26 in-patient beds split over four units (1 eight bed unit, 3 six bed units). As well as the four in-patient units Loch View has an admin building where my office is situated as well as a suite of multi-purpose therapy rooms including an art room, music room, living skills room and multi-sensory room. I have 24 hour responsibility and a staff team of around 68 whole time equivalent. I am supported by two senior staff nurses (band 6). I report to the service manager (James Cassidy) and am professionally accountable to the LD Lead Nurse (Allison Ramsay)

Since working in a leadership role both at Loch View and RSNH I have always covered more than one unit. This has allowed me to be supernumerary and non case load holding. This has had major advantages to my role:

• I am able to have a clear overview of the clinical care needs and person centred care and treatment of all of the patients at Loch View.
• I am in a position to be able to advise and support staff on complex clinical issues.
• I am able to deal with all staff management issues such as attendance management, investigations/disciplinary issues, staff training and development, promoting positive attitudes and morale, workforce management issues
• Within Loch View I am able to take a lead role with others in developing initiatives within the multi-disciplinary team such as the LD generic ICP, improving nursing care records, discharge planning initiatives, user involvement initiatives
• I am able to be involved in the strategic LD framework and play a part in developing new initiatives across the LD managed care network, such as chairing the MCN Severe Challenging Behaviour Interest Group
• I have been able to shadow and learn from the LD Lead Nurse by being able to be freed up to participate in initiatives out with Loch View
• I am able to do some work as a zero hours lecturer at NapierUniversity with LD student nurses.

I feel that LBC has given focus to the role of senior charge nurse and has given me confirmation that I am working within the role in a modern, forward thinking way allowing me to contribute to the development of learning disability nursing in a wider context.

Caroline Gill

Senior Charge Nurse, Learning Disabilities

Lochview

9 August 2012

01324 574340