Spinal Injury Care at a Glance

A spinal cord injury can significantly disrupt life, yet we stand firm in our belief that everyone should be able to live independently, fulfilling their life in their own homes, with the support of superior specialist care. This conviction drives Paragon Home Healthcare's provision of a specialized live-in care solution for those who have encountered a spinal cord injury at any point in their lives.

We recognize the importance of collaboration with specialist services to deliver comprehensive, customized care to our clients. These partnerships enable us to harness their wealth of knowledge and resources, resulting in improved client outcomes and an enriched quality of life.

Key partnerships we hold include those with NHS and Private Spinal Injury Centers. We join forces with their teams to devise thorough care plans for our spinal injury clients. This collaboration ensures that our caregiving approach aligns with their specialized guidance and the insights of the Spinal Injury Association (SIA). As we abide by best practices specific to spinal injuries, we deliver specialized care that fosters better outcomes and promotes our clients' overall well-being and independence.

Type of Spinal Injury Care Provided

Our care options, tailored to match your specific needs as detailed in your care plan, include both live-in care and day or night shifts, or a blend of both. Live-in care refers to a service where carefully selected and trained caregivers, often known as Personal Assistants (PAs), reside with you to provide constant support throughout the day. We also offer flexible support options such as day shifts and waking night shifts, tailored to your unique requirements.

Our highly skilled carer teams are available to offer round-the-clock support within your home. Our team of dedicated carers, expertly trained by our seasoned Clinical Team, are always on standby for advice, support, and field assistance.

How many carers will be assigned and can I choose them?

The number of carers needed depends on the type of care (live-in or shift-based) and the client's personal preferences, but typically, live-in teams comprise two carers and shift teams have more carers. We manage care schedules to minimize the need for relief carers, thereby reducing the number of different individuals you interact with. Clients play an active role in the carer selection process through meet-and-greet sessions, ensuring their comfort with the care team. We strive for smooth transitions between carers to limit disruptions and ensure that all team members are well-briefed and ready for their shifts.

Training Procedures

Our experienced trainers and supervisors, equipped with extensive experience in caring for clients with spinal cord injuries, deeply comprehend the unique needs and challenges of these individuals. After undergoing best-practice training for spinal cord injuries, they are well-positioned to train our caregiving staff. This crucial knowledge and expertise are transmitted to our carer staff through rigorous training in both dedicated training environments and in the field.

Carers receive specific training to identify and manage conditions often associated with spinal injuries, such as neurogenic bowel management, autonomic dysreflexia, catheter management and irrigation, among others.

We conduct thorough skills and competency assessments, tailored to the client's specific requirements. These evaluations include practical tests, role-plays, and simulated scenarios, conducted both in our training center and in the client's home. This method enables us to assess a carer's capability in handling real-life situations and providing high-quality care.

Our carers are trained in personal care, mobility support, bowel & continence management, medication administration, catheter irrigation, autonomic dysreflexia prevention, skin care, and more. They also assist with housekeeping tasks to maintain a comfortable home environment. We prioritize matching you with a carer with whom you feel at ease.

Consistent Handovers and Care

We form a consistent care team around you. When it's time for a carer's shift to end, a comprehensive handover ensures the incoming carer is thoroughly informed and ready. Our goal is to limit disruption during these transitions. We recruit carers specifically suited to your needs and involve you in the selection process to ensure your comfort with your caregiving team.

Sickness Cover

To ensure constant support, we provide a trained replacement in the rare instance a carer falls ill. Our seasoned and skilled standby team is prepared to step in for urgent cover if required.

Our Employment Model

Our caregivers are full employees of Paragon Home Healthcare and enjoy all the benefits of formal employment. We pay our staff bi-weekly to help them tackle the increasing cost of living and other challenges associated with this sector. Our focus lies in valuing, supporting, and developing our caregiving staff to ensure the delivery of top-tier, best-practice care. Unlike staffing or introductory agencies, Paragon Home Healthcare assumes full responsibility for insurance, payroll, training, regulatory compliance, and ongoing professional development.

Quality Assurance and Governance

We are committed to providing a high-quality service and have systems in place to ensure this. Our team utilizes our innovative care coordination and monitoring systems to streamline paperwork and reduce administrative work. We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and adhere to strict procedures, regularly audited by our specialist teams.

Financial Support

We collaborate with numerous funding partners to deliver our specialized spinal injury care services. Some common sources of funding for this type of care include NHS Personal Health Budgets, Direct Payments, and medicolegal claims. We partner with a range of NHS Continuing Healthcare teams, ICBs, and Medicolegal teams to provide the necessary care and support for our clients. We offer flexible funding options, ensuring that you maintain control over your care and support.

Next Steps

Our professional team is ready to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us to discuss how we can assist you.