Cerebral Palsy Scotland

Hand Washing for People with Neurological Conditions

Hands are usually the most common way we pick up germs from the surfaces around us. Door handles, phones, light switches, filing cabinet keys, wheelchair brakes, shopping trolleys, covering our mouths when we cough – all ways we can pick up germs. The best way to prevent spreading germs is by washing our hands properly and regularly.

For some people with neurological conditions extra care must be taken to make sure hands have been properly washed. There are a variety of reasons why handwashing can be tricky. Some of these will be explored below.

Washing hands before touching your own or someone else’s face will prevent germs being spread to eyes, mouth and nose – and so help prevent illness. Some people with a neurological condition are unable to bring their hands to their own face. The positive aspect of this is that they are less likely to touch infected surfaces and then spread germs to their eyes/mouth/nose. However, it means that they will be dependent on others to wash their face or to help them manage coughs, sneezes, tears and runny noses.

General advice for carers

  • Ensure your own hands are thoroughly washed and dried before assisting someone else. Wear gloves if this is part of your regular protocol.
  • Check if there are any specific recommendations about how best to position and/or hold the person’s hand/arm.
  • Involve the person e.g. check they are ready to start, check which hand they want you to wash first, check if the water temperature is comfortable.
  • Remember rinsing and drying are crucial parts of hand-hygiene. It is essential to rinse and dry fully. Germs love to breed in warm, damp places.

Muscle tightness/contractures

e.g. fisted or some fingers bent into the palm

Muscle tightness around hands and wrists is a feature of many neurological conditions. Sometimes this is ‘dynamic’ in that it is possible to move parts. Sometimes it is ‘static’ meaning the tissues have become stuck in that position. Whether dynamic or static, it is important to make sure every ‘nook, cranny and crease’ is cleaned and dried completely.

Ideas to help wash a tight hand / curled fingers
  • For some people it can help loosen their hands, to first bring their arm away from their body. Check with someone who knows the person how to do this.
  • If possible place hand fully in a basin of warm soapy water
  • Do not force hands/fingers or thumbs open
  • Use slow, gentle-but-firm handling
  • Getting into the palm: Start at one side (e.g. at pinkie finger) and use small rotating movements, like a corkscrew, to ease into the palm with soapy water
  • Follow usual instructions regarding washing between all fingers, fingertips and around thumb, back and sides of hand
  • NB Handling someone’s hands can sometimes cause the person’s hand to become tighter. Draw attention away from their hands by chatting about something important to them.

Weakness / reduced hand movements

Some people will have difficulty washing their hands due to lack of strength or poor active movements of arms, wrists or fingers. This can take many forms e.g.

  • cannot lift arm to reach to soap dispenser or taps but can manage once they have soap and water close
  • can reach for soap and water but cannot control fingers and wrist to wash hands as shown in many hand-washing diagrams
  • have no active movements and need someone else to wash their hands
Ideas to help
  • Where arm movements are difficult, assist by bringing soap close enough and turning taps on (check temperature)
  • Provide a basin of warm soapy water on lap for person to wash own hands
  • If you need to help wash the persons hands (after washing your own hands) follow NHS handwashing guidance about making sure all parts are cleaned

Sensation

Some people may have changes to what they are able to feel. For example

  • difficulty with temperature: not knowing if the water is too hot/hot enough
  • being unable to feel all around hands, needing to rely on vision to check washing
  • sensitive to touch: find it uncomfortable/painful when touched in certain ways
Ideas to help
  • Always find out what the person can feel or not feel
  • Remove your own jewellery so not to scratch/cause rubbing
  • Always check the water temperature
  • Use firm, gentle handling – using light pressure can sometimes feel uncomfortable for someone with changed sensation

Finally, It is important to remember that good hand-hygiene is always important, not just at this time. Good hand-hygiene not only helps to prevent spread of germs (and illnesses), it is important for other parts of health. It helps a person feel fresh and comfortable, it prevents unpleasant smells and helps to stop skin breaking down and causing infection.

References

Sandra Mackay ~ Occupational Therapist ~ Bobath Scotland

We’re changing our name, and here’s why

In April 2020, Bobath Scotland changed name to Cerebral Palsy Scotland. We want to share with you the reasons behind this move.

Why change?

CPS favicon

Changing our name is one part of much wider work we are continuing to do to increase awareness of cerebral palsy and enable us to reach everyone affected by cerebral palsy across the country.

There is not enough support and services for families and individuals living with cerebral palsy. We hope our change of name will help us raise our game and close this gap so that every person with cerebral palsy can participate and achieve to the best of their ability – this is our key aim.

The name Cerebral Palsy Scotland is also more reflective of the charity today. Providing therapy using the Bobath concept is still the core of what we do, and our superb team of therapists will continue to offer individual therapy to children and adults and run our many therapist-led groups.

But we want to make it much clearer that we now do more, such as:

  • Providing online information about CP and the local support services that are available to people with CP
  • Creating opportunities for families, children and adults with CP to meet each other and to access learning, such as through our annual conference and social groups
  • Supporting families and individuals with their emotional wellbeing
  • Working for changes in policy that improve the lives of people with CP

What else has changed?

As part of this project, we have brought all our online information into one website so that both current and new supporters can easily find the information they need and understand the range of services we provide. Our new website went live in April 2020.

We aim to be clearer and more consistent when we communicate, including how we describe who we are and what we do, the language we use, and the way we look. A strong identity will help us build support and allow us to have a bigger impact.

More support for people with CP and their families

Eighty-five percent of what we spend as a charity comes from our own fundraising efforts. All these changes will help us to raise funds – and hopefully secure additional funding – to provide support and information for people with CP.

We are proud of our services and we want more people to benefit from them and build their skills, knowledge, and confidence. These changes will help to ensure we can have the greatest impact and continue to support as many people living with CP as we can across Scotland.

Who is helping us with this?

We are pleased to be working with Passion4Social, a social enterprise, on this project. They actively increase employment opportunities for disabled people and share many of our values.

Any comments?

If you have any comments on our change of name, please contact Anna Hunter, Communications Manager: anna.hunter@bobath.scot

New ‘Framework for Action’ aims to improve support for neurological conditions

The Scottish Government has today published its new Framework for Action for Neurological Care and Support in Scotland.

Supported by £4.5 million of funding, the plan aims to ensure people get access to personalised care and support regardless of their particular condition or where in Scotland they live.

The publication of the Framework, which spans the period 2020-2025, follows the public consultation on the ‘draft national action plan on neurological conditions’, which concluded in February 2019.

The plan was developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions (NACNC), third sector organisations, health professionals and the neurological community.

The Framework focuses on adults (16 years and older). It contains five overarching aims and 17 commitments to support improvements that span health and social care. The five aims are to:

  • ensure people and their carers are partners in their care and support;
  • improve the provision of co-ordinated health and social care and support for people with neurological conditions;
  • ensure high standards of effective, person-centred and safe care and support;
  • ensure equitable and timely access to care and support across Scotland; and
  • build a sustainable neurological workforce for the future.

Stephanie Fraser, CEO of Bobath Scotland, who is speaking at the launch of the Framework today in her role as Chair of NACNC, welcomed the report. She said:

“I am delighted that Scotland now has its own Framework for Action for neurological conditions and I hope this will have a positive lasting impact on the neurological community.

“We welcome the collaborative approach to develop this Framework and recognise that the publication’s ambitions will need a continued collective approach with the Scottish Government, NHS, Local Authorities, third sector and people living with neurological conditions.

“As part of my role as Chair of The National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions I look forward to providing advice to the Scottish Government around the implementation of the commitments and aims in the Framework to help improve the lives of those in the neurological community.”

The Framework has also been welcomed by the Neurological Alliance of Scotland, the umbrella body of organisations and groups representing people living with or affected by a neurological condition.

Commenting on the Framework, Rebecca Duff, Chair of the Neurological Alliance said:

“We believe that today’s plan is an ambitious and promising first step to transforming the experience of people with neurological conditions in Scotland and the unpaid carers who support them. We want the plan to meet its potential, and look forward to playing our part as a key partner in its implementation.  We will be keen to make sure that the implementation programme receives the investment it needs to deliver renewed collaboration across sectors and make real, lasting changes for those living with neurological conditions in Scotland.”

Access Neurological Care and Support in Scotland – A Framework for Action, 2020-2025

Girl’s birthday bid to raise money for Bobath Scotland

An eight year-old girl from Glasgow is getting ready to celebrate her ninth birthday by raising money for Bobath Scotland because we have supported her young cousin.

Hay Families

Sadie Hay has organised a sponsored walk on her birthday and is asking friends and classmates to donate to Bobath instead of giving her a present.

Her five year-old cousin Noah has cerebral palsy and receives therapy from us.

Sadie’s mum, Sharon said:

“She had been speaking about what she wanted to do for her birthday, and out of the blue said she wanted to do something for charity. And then quite quickly she realised that she wanted to raise money for Bobath Scotland because her cousin Noah goes there for therapy.

“She worked on a presentation herself which she gave to her whole school, explaining what cerebral palsy is and a little bit about her cousin, and inviting everyone to take part in the sponsored walk and donate to her fundraising page.

“Her dad helped her print little business cards with a QR code which takes you directly to the donation page and she also designed a poster for school to advertise details of the walk.

“She still thinks she is not getting any birthday presents, and she is fine with that! I’m really proud of her, and I’m so impressed how she’s been involved in every step. She’s absolutely delighted because a few of her friends have said that they are going to do something for charity for their birthdays now too.”

Sadie has already raised £900 and is hoping to raise more in the run-up to the event, which will take place on 9 November in Victoria Park.

Noah’s mum, Heather Hay, is also delighted that her niece is raising money for Bobath Scotland. The family live in Banff and have previously travelled to Glasgow to get specialist therapy for their son at the Bobath Scotland centre. They are soon to be starting therapy sessions with Bobath therapists in Aberdeenshire, as part of our outreach programme. She said:

“Sadie gave us a ring and said she wanted to do something for charity for her birthday and told us she had chosen Bobath Scotland. She read us the presentation she gave to her school over the phone and it made us feel very proud that she wanted to do this for her cousin. My husband and I both felt a bit emotional when she first told us. It’s really sweet of her, and it’s superb that she has gone out of her way to do this at such a young age.”

 “As a family, we have found the intensive therapy sessions at Bobath Scotland really beneficial – not just for Noah, but it’s also made us more aware of how his body works and how we can support him better. Noah has right-sided hemiplegia, which means he finds using that side of his body quite challenging. The sessions really opened our eyes to how we can encourage him to use his whole body. After the therapy sessions we noticed small improvements in how he was moving that really made us smile and realise that every little helps.”

Commenting on the fundraiser, Stephanie Fraser, CEO of Bobath Scotland said:

“We are so impressed with everything that Sadie is doing and are extremely grateful for her support. Raising vital funds means that we can be here for children like Noah and many others across Scotland living with cerebral palsy who need specialist help. Thank you Sadie and we hope you have a very happy birthday.”

You can donate to Sadie’s fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/darren-hay4

Bobath Scotland publish Annual Review 2018/19

Annual Review front cover

Bobath Scotland has published its latest round-up of action and activity for the period 2018/19.

The Annual Review sets out what the charity has achieved between 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019.

Highlights from the year include:

  • More children and adults accessed our services in 2018/19 than over the previous 12 months.
  • The Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference in 2018 was attended by more people than ever before.
  • We demonstrated our commitment to supporting the development of specialist knowledge of cerebral palsy in Scotland through funding and delivering training for NHS therapists.
  • We have begun work to embed mental health and psychological support within our core therapy service.
  • Our outreach programme has helped to ensure that people across Scotland can access our services.

The Review also sets out the charity’s key aims for 2019/20 as well as interviews with people who have benefitted from Bobath’s services, Bobath therapists, health professionals and donors.

Commenting on the Annual Review Bobath Scotland CEO, Stephanie Fraser, said:

“We are very proud of Bobath Scotland’s achievements this year and how the charity has responded in a range of ways to meet the needs of people with cerebral palsy.

“Around 83% of our income over 2018/19 came from our own fundraising. We could not exist without the continued support of funders and donors and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to ensuring we can continue to support people with CP and their families.

“We were also incredibly touched to receive three separate legacies over the course of the year, which has enabled us to fully fund the fortnightly Bobath Babies group in 2019/20 in addition to supporting our work throughout Scotland in 2018/19.

“We are determined to build on Bobath Scotland’s work in 2019/20, focussed on our beneficiaries and led by doing what will most benefit and improve the lives of people in Scotland with cerebral palsy.”

Read Bobath Scotland Annual Review 2018/19