Ergocoach Programme – A Partnership to Embed Cultural Change in People Handling Practice within Health and Social Care Services

This evidence-based clinical consulting and education programme; developed and delivered by clinicians and moving and handling experts; is designed to work in partnership with an organisation to embed cultural change in people handling practice within health and social care services. It is based on the fundamental principle of a person-centered approach – optimising the mobility of the people we provide care for and reducing the risk of immobility-associated conditions related to both body and mind. This in turn reduces the need for physical assistance and reduces risk to the caregiver. Delivered by patient handling clinicians; following a comprehensive Insight assessment of the care environment; the programme provides identified caregivers with the knowledge and skills to enable them to become coaches and ambassadors in safe patient handling within their care area. The Insight assessment is followed by the 5-day educational course to create Ergocoaches, who then nurture best practices within their care environment by ‘coaching’ caregivers using equipment and appropriate repositioning and transfer activities that promote an optimal level of function and independence.