It takes two? : exploring the manual handling myth

Phillips, J; Mellson, J; Richardson, N

Abstract

The objective of this report is to investigate and question the prescription of double handed care (the use of two carers) with clients who require manual handling. There are significant implications of single versus double-handed care and therefore it is imperative that we fully understand the relevant key drivers that determine which care package is right for the client. Offering double handed care unnecessarily for example has a major cost implication and, within the current context of an increasing number of clients and ever tightening budgets, it is more important than ever that we challenge and fully understand our decision making process.

Our research shows that misconceptions regarding moving and handling, insufficient knowledge of specialist equipment and an often outdated and inflexible approach has led to too much generalisation regarding the perceived need for two carers as opposed to one. This has led to a culture of ‘proving’ the case for one carer rather than the other way around. Furthermore making the correct choice has major implications not only in terms of cost but also the number of carers required, the impact upon the client’s privacy and their general well-being.

Add to this the increasing difficulty of recruiting and retaining carers and the proven long term cost benefits of providing suitable equipment for the client’s needs and the argument for thoroughly challenging the perceived need for double-handed care is strong.
In order to conduct a balanced, holistic study of the subject matter we have involved a number of sector experts, all of whom have contributed their different experiences and opinions. We feel that this input from a range of specialists has been extremely beneficial and has given the report a thorough and rounded argument. The case studies included as Appendices I-IV are examples of independent pieces of project work unrelated to this study but all of them draw the same conclusions about the need to re-evaluate the perceived need for double-handed care.

We hope that the breadth of research contained within this report and the conclusions that we have drawn will serve to challenge the status quo and seriously question our current thought processes ultimately to the benefit of carers, clients and cost.

Citation

Phillips, J., Mellson, J., & Richardson, N. It takes two? : exploring the manual handling myth

• Report Type: Project Report
• Deposit Date: Aug 25, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781907842993