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Supporting others who use the service

In this section

  1. 1
    Policy statement
  2. 2
    Purpose
  3. 3
    Scope
  4. 4
    Definitions
  5. 5
    Legal Context
  6. 6
    Expected Death
  7. 7
    Unexpected and/or suspicious death
  8. 8
    Information recording
  9. 9
    Funeral arrangements
  10. 10
    Medication
  11. 11
    Media
  12. 12
    Possessions
  13. 13
    Supporting others who use the service
  1. 14
    Supporting staff
  2. 15
    Death data processing
  3. 16
    Carers
  4. 17
    Pets
  5. 18
    Recovering equipment
  6. 19
    Practice guidance
  7. 20
    Implementation
  8. 21
    Monitoring and review
  9. 22
    Expected death flow chart
  10. 23
    Unexpected and/or suspicious death flow chart
  11. 24
    Appendix 1 – Guidance on multicultural issues
  12. 25
    Appendix 2 – Useful organisations and websites
  13. 26
    Policy details

Although some staff may be given training in emergency first aid they are not expected to be qualified first-aiders. If staff are present when an individual dies they must summon professional assistance (either the GP or the ambulance service) and take only such immediate measures as they feel competent with, or are instructed to take by the person they contact. They must report to their Line Manager as soon as possible and then follow the procedures in section 6 or 7, as appropriate.

Although some staff may be given training in emergency first aid they are not expected to be qualified first-aiders. If staff are present when an individual dies they must summon professional assistance (either the GP or the ambulance service) and take only such immediate measures as they feel competent with, or are instructed to take by the person they contact. They must report to their Line Manager as soon as possible and then follow the procedures in section 6 or 7, as appropriate.

13.1    Those who knew the deceased will be supported to express their feelings about the death. This will be of particular relevance in day centres and residential units where individuals have regular contact with each other.

13.2    Managers will brief staff on what information about the deceased can be shared with others who use their service.

(There are easy to read documents about death for people with a learning disability that have been developed by the staff and individuals at Dursley Training Unit).

13.3    Staff will consult with others using the service to decide how support may be offered, e.g. as a group or individually.

13.4    As part of their professional role, staff may need to support others who use their service to attend funerals and social funeral events and will confirm the acceptability of this with the next of kin/representative.

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