Andre Downer

Group Clinical Lead (RMN)

With a wealth of over 30 years NHS nursing experience and over a decade in managing private health care homes for the elderly, learning disabled and people with mental health difficulties as a CQC Registered Manager, I aim to bring clear guidance and support to the clinical care and support of individual residents, aiding home managers and other staff in overseeing and advising on improving services and development strategies, and also promoting quality and safety, with an aim of excellence and best practice .

In many ways I am an advocate for residents, acting for health equality and wellbeing, ensuring their physical, social and mental needs are met.

I liaise and communicate with a wide range of care professionals, ranging from GP surgeries and NHS hospital outpatients departments to specialist Community Teams and Social Services. I also communicate with residents’ carers and families to ensure an open and transparent provision.

I provide guidance and support to all staff on a wide range of clinical aspects of care, such as on Diabetes, Parkinsons and Epilepsy, for example, and am particular in ensuring all staff engaged with individuals are capable of completing NEWS2 vital signs observations, used throughout the NHS and Ambulance service in assessing acute health presentations. I have initiated training and support to all staff on this, promoting its widespread and now accepted use as a health support tool, including on interpretation and escalation processes.

I complete and update periodic and contiguous reviews of overall care and support given to individuals in multidisciplinary meetings, including on medication, quality of life and health action plans, care planning and risk assessments.

I am a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, amateur Botanist with a keen interest in Japanese maples, Cacti and South American Chillies. I am also a keen metal detectorist, rock sculptor/ artist and writer of magical realism.