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We take the risk out
of the referrals process
We provide unique, specialist care for vulnerable people who present with challenging behaviours associated with complex neurodegenerative and mental health needs.
By supporting healthcare professionals and commissioners, we ensure strong placements are made and seldom experience placement breakdown.
Our specialism allows us to consider and often admit individuals who have been rejected by other services. We also specialise in s.117 aftercare pathways.
Knowledge is key
We have a unique approach and attitude towards specialist care which has received industry recognition. Through four core areas, we achieve clinical expertise for our residents:
- Seeing beyond the diagnosis to individual needs and co-morbidity
- Focus on presentation over diagnosis
- Care through to end of life
- Focus on de-escalation and distraction (Restraint Reduction Initiative compliant)
- Proactive framework for reducing 1:1 dependency
- Targeted reviews and assessments
- Mix of general and mental health nurses
- High staffing levels
- Link nurses in 11 specialist areas
- Dedicated activity team
- In-house specialist training to ensure consistency across our service
- Continuity of a specialist, strong team
- Qualitative and quantitative data analysis
- Risk management, not just risk elimination
- Robust, cross-functional Clinical Governance process
- Comprehensive pre-admission assessment
- Use of Restore2 to recognise and respond to early warning signs
- Statistical analysis SPC charts of falls to monitor and mitigate
Outcomes can be difficult to measure but are a crucial part of care planning. We ensure outcome measures are used in every aspect of our care from the sector requirements to our own proactive analysis and initiatives:
- Initial 28-day assessment
- Monthly care reviews to suit resident and commissioner needs
- 1:1 framework which is continually reviewed to justify need
- Audits and quality reviews
- All compliance tolerance levels targeted below the national levels
- Compliance with the national standards and best practice guidelines to measure, monitor and review treatment outcomes
- Surveys and feedback from residents, families and professionals to gain insight
- Service-wide clinical audit process
We do more than the expected
“When my client was discharged to Cornerstone, they proactively liaised with me and the nurses on the previous ward to seek advice and tips as to how to manage behaviours and support needs.”
Social Worker, Adult Social Care
Admission Criteria
Because of our specialism, we are able to consider and usually admit those who are challenging to place. Many of our residents were previously rejected by other services or have experienced placement breakdown.
Our process
1
Initial conversation with
referrals team to qualify information
2
Assessment of individual
within 72 hours
3
Pre-admissions assessment
document, offer and funding
Clinical Leadership Team
Our clinical management teams have a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector and the well being and care of our residents are their main drivers.
Dara Ní Ghadhra
Group Chief Operating OfficerDara has over 25 years’ experience in healthcare across many sectors including mental health, neurological and brain injury services. Working with secure mental health services through to community services she understands the clinical progress that can be made outside of very restrictive situations, whilst attracting investment for expansion and development.
Dara is an innovative operator who is solution focused, with service improvement at the heart of her decision making.
As Chief Operating Officer Dara is responsible for service delivery, ensuring the people we support and care for reach their potential and are supported through their diagnostic restrictions.
Michelle Murchan
Director of OperationsMichelle is a registered nurse with extensive experience in management positions for nearly 20 years. She has held various Home Manager roles and more senior roles such as Operations Manager, Regional Manager and Commissioning Manager within both nursing homes and hospitals.
Gaynor Rhead
Commissioning Home DirectorGaynor has an impressive track record in healthcare management and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Cornerstone. In her role, she will oversee the opening of the two new developments ‘Cale View’ and ‘The Burren’ as well as the execution of the commissioning process for the two sector leading services.
Niki Richards
General ManagerNiki is a registered nurse who has previously worked in senior leadership roles within the NHS, the National Care Standards Commission, Healthcare Commission, CQC and large care providers.
Yusuf Lusiba
General ManagerIn a healthcare career of 18 years, Yusuf has demonstrated a clear drive and passion for clinical excellence. Having worked in dementia care and acquired brain injury settings, Yusuf brings a wealth of knowledge to Cornerstone. In 2020, he chose to continue his self-development by completing his Msc in Mental Health Nursing.
Amanda Bulley
Clinical ManagerAfter qualifying as a nurse, Amanda joined the Queen Alexandra Royal Naval Nursing Service and was drafted to Gosport RNH Haslar. Amanda then became the registered manager for a care home in Southsea which she ran for 25 years. This position took Amanda away from front line nursing and clinical input so she decided to take on the role as a Clinical manager at South Africa Lodge in 2020.
Alena Clemo
Clinical ManagerAlena has been a qualified nurse for 20 years, starting her career working in acute medicine and then moving into respiratory high care. She has also worked in the specialist areas of gastroenterology, cardiology and lung cancer where she was clinical nurse specialist. Alena joined Cornerstone in 2021 as complex care is of particular interest to her.
Mark Pascual
Clinical ManagerNicki Hector-Thomas
Clinical ManagerWayne Foy
Clinical ManagerAaron Ballinger
Quality & Compliance ManagerAaron joined Cornerstone in 2008 as a Healthcare Assistant and immediately showed a passion for improving the lives of our residents by data-driven decision making. He has attended the University of Bath in ‘Quality Improvement in Healthcare’ and the Royal College of Physicians in ‘Improving Patient Care: A Data Driven Approach’ and in 2020 he was promoted to his current role as Quality & Compliance Officer.
Email our referral team: referrals@cornerstonehc.co.uk
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