​DUTY OF CANDOUR REPORT
JULY 2021
 
Duty of Candour is a legal requirement to ensure that if something goes wrong in health or social care services the people affected are offered an explanation, an apology and an assurance that staff will learn from the error. The learning is shared with the people affected and throughout Scotland.
 
In line with Scottish Government guidance, we are now in Level 0 – Covid 19. Crossroads continues to follow the contingency plan in place which reflects the guidance given and updated by the Scottish Government at any given point.
 
The Contingency Plan Information and Guidance folder is in place and holds the following information:
 

1. Contingency Plan
2. New & Amended policies and procedures
3. Support worker, Office (Individual) and Workplace Risk Assessments
4. Health Protection Scotland Information & Guidance
5. Fife Health & Social Care Partnership Guidance and Communication
6. Scottish Government Guidance
7. Care Inspectorate Guidance
8. Crossroads Fife Guidance and Updates for all staff

 
This will continue to be updated as changes are implemented.
 
All office staff continue to work on a blended pattern both home and office, ensuring that all health and safety requirements were met. Support workers are accessing the office for pre-booked training or supervisions. Support workers are asked to telephone the office to arrange pick up of PPE. Most meetings with other key organisations are carried out via a digital platform.
 
All staff are requested to carry out a weekly PCR test, these are posted to staff monthly. Any positive results must be reported immediately.
 
This report describes how Crossroads Fife has implemented Duty of Candour throughout the period August 2020 – July 2021.
 
Crossroads Fife is a charity primarily funded by Fife Health and Social Care Partnership to provide respite support to Carers who support people of any age and any disability throughout Fife. Crossroads Fife is also on the Care at Home Framework and supports people in receipt of Self Directed Support to achieve their outcomes.
 
Crossroads Fife has a Duty of Candour Policy and staff guidance. All staff have undertaken training to help them understand the Organisation’s policy and the process of the Duty of Candour which could affect them.
 
Incident Reporting
 
All health and social care services in Scotland must provide an annual duty of candour report for the service. As a registered support service provider this information is sent to our regulator the Care Inspectorate.
 
During the reporting period no incidents triggered Duty of Candour.
 
Our Policy and Process
 
If an incident occurred that necessitated the implementation of Duty of Candour our staff would follow procedure and report this to their line manager and Service Manager who oversees the service Crossroads Fife provides.
 
The incident would be reported and the named staff member would complete the Care Inspectorate e-form.
 
The internal reporting form highlights the learning needed as a result of the incident and any specific staff team learning necessary.
 
Service Manager and line manger would meet with staff to provide support and emphasise this is about learning and improving, not blame.
 
Duty of Candour is part of our Induction and Core training which all staff have to undertake. Whilst it is distressing when things go wrong we can and do learn from our mistakes and adapt our processes to try and minimise the event recurring.
 
Where the incident arises from staff wrong doing then our disciplinary policy would be put in place. If you would like more information regarding this report please contact the Service Manager.
 
 
 

7 JUNE 2021

TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! 
Crossroads Fife celebrates and thanks our Volunteer Befrienders for their kindness, time and dedication in helping the people who need us most.  Thank you to our volunteers for going the extra mile supporting vulnerable people during the lockdown by phone or shop-drops.  During Volunteers’ Week from 1-7 June, we want to honour the power of volunteering and their incredible impact.  The coronavirus pandemic has raised the profile of volunteering and the immense contribution being made every single day by volunteers.
 
Crossroads Fife is a local Scottish charity who is proud to have provided quality care and dependable support to people in Fife for over 25 years.  Our Befriending service provided by Volunteers complements the Respite, Palliative and Purchased Services delivered by Support Staff.  All of our services enable carers and vulnerable adults to have a break by relying on our highly trained staff and volunteers. 
 
Our valuable volunteers make an enormous contribution to individual’s lives, families and communities throughout Scotland.  With over 1.2 million people involved in formal volunteering, they contribute more than £2 billion to the Scottish economy every year.  Volunteer Nancy, said ‘I’ve been volunteering with Crossroads for a couple of years and befriending has become such an important and wonderful part of my life which my befriendee and I both treasure’.
 
Crossroads Fife Chair, Murray Grubb said ‘The pandemic has changed the landscape so taking the time to thank our volunteers for their critical contribution and connection to the most vulnerable in our society is essential.  We celebrate our volunteers and look forward to their full return.’
 
So, if you’re up to volunteering and helping someone feel more connected and less socially isolated and lonely, we’d love to hear from you:  marie@crossroadsg.co.uk, 01592 630253.  ick here to edit.

​The Audiology Department within the Victoria Hospital has relocated to Level 7 Tower Block, previously being located in Ward 13 Phase 2. At the moment they are running a reduced service. The contact number for the Audiology Hub is 01592 643355 Ext. 28355. The new e-mail address is audiology.fife2@nhs.scot