Table 2 Characteristics of the staff’s sample
Position | Role & Hierarchy | Number Observed | Number Interviewed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Manager | There is only one manager in each care home. Managers are responsible for the management of all staff, and legally responsible for residents’ safety. | N.A. | 5 | |
Senior staff | Nurse | Nurses are the senior staff in nursing homes (or floors). They are accountable to the manager and responsible for the management of part of the nursing home and residents. This typically includes 3–4 carers and 30–35 residents. Nurses are responsible for administering medication (ICDs included) and liaising with the GP and the relatives, close companions, or Lasting Powers of Attorneys (LPAs) of the residents. | 10 | 6 |
Senior staff | Senior carer | Senior carers are the senior staff in residential homes (or floors). They are accountable to the manager and responsible for the management of part of the residential home and residents. This typically includes 3–4 carers and 30–35 residents. Senior carers are responsible for administering all medication except ICDs which require a registered nurse (typically a district nurse) for administration. Senior carers are responsible for liaising with the GP, district nurses and the relatives, close companions, or LPAs of the residents. | 9 | 4 |
Carer | Carers are accountable to the manager and the nurse or senior carer allocated to their floor or part of the care home. Carers are responsible for helping residents complete their activities of daily living, such as getting dressed and washed, use the toilet, change their nappies, eat and hydrate. Carers are not responsible for administering medication to the residents nor liaising with the GPs, district nurses and the relatives, close companions, or LPAs of the residents. | 35 | 10 | |