Care from the Nurses Perspective
Senior Registered Nurse/Risk Assessor - Mel Dawson
Hello. As an SRN, my job with Helping Hands is to ensure that our care focuses on the needs of the customer. I work to create bespoke care plans; I visit the homes of prospective customers to assess moving and handling issues and try to solve potential problems.
I also carry out risk assessments and I’m a specialist trainer and NVQ assessor.
To ask me a question either email me directly or call 0808 180 9488.
My Qualifications
I have worked in the care business for nearly 25 years, the last 9 years with Helping Hands. In addition to be a Registered Nurse, I’ve also have accreditations in or undertaken the following training:
- ENB998 Teaching and Assessing in Clinical Practice
- Moving and Handling training to high level – Risk assessment of the home environment.
- M&H Trainer
- A1,A2 NVQ in Care Assessor
- Member of the Institute of Supervisory Management
How can I help you?
I would be happy to answer your questions in my capacity as a Registered Nurse, where I have experience in a variety fields including rehabilitation, elderly care and acute admission. Moving and Handling issues and Younger Persons Care planning are other areas where I can help you.
I can also offer advice on Mental Health issues; Dementia care is a particular specialism as I previously managed a specialist hospital ward for dementia diagnosis. I also spent two years at a Nursing Home with specialist dementia and unusual mental health issues for the elderly.
In my time with Helping Hands I have been involved with the care for many of our customers with higher level needs, particularly with advanced dementias and severe physical disabilities. My background enables me to assess complex care packages and advise, from a medical point of view, as to the appropriateness of Live-in Care and what the realistic options are.
With younger people, I have experience of Acquired Brain Injury, management of behavioural issues and physical disability from my days working on a long stay physical disability ward.
Job satisfaction
I love my role at Helping Hands; no 2 days or 2 customers are the same so every situation is new and challenging. I get great satisfaction from setting up care packages for people who don’t think it’s possible to live in their own home with the degree of independence and choice they crave.
I have had the pleasure of setting up many packages of care over the last 9 years. To single one out as more satisfying than another would be difficult, they are all equally important and satisfying to me. From the 17 year old who finally returned home to her parents after 3 years in residential care, to the 103 year old lady who flatly refused to leave her home and all her collected treasures.
Live-in Care at home is bespoke; it’s one-to-one. I truly believe that every one deserves and should be entitled to Live-in Care at home regardless of illness, disability or financial circumstance.
A bit about me
I am enthusiastic; I’m energetic, motivated and I like making things happen. I rise to a challenge and enjoy helping families provide a practical and realistic solution to their care needs. As well as being mom to a teenage girl I enjoy my sport, keeping active through coaching rugby (after my playing legs left me) and skiing at every opportunity.
