A milestone moment: HMT brings BEACH training to our care homes

We’re incredibly proud to share that HMT is the only care home organisation to have brought BEACH training into a residential care home setting.

Last week, St Quentin’s became the first of our care homes to welcome the training, with Gareth Rees spending time with the team to deliver our first sessions.

BEACH (Bedside Emergency Assessment Course for Healthcare staff) focuses on recognising when a resident’s health may be starting to change and knowing what to do next. The training covers early warning signs to look out for, simple checks such as breathing, colour and responsiveness, and how and when to raise concerns so residents can get the right help at the right time.

The feedback from colleagues has been brilliant, with the sessions described as informative and helpful. One colleague shared how much the training highlighted the importance of spotting signs of deterioration early.

Our care colleagues know our residents better than anyone and are often the first to notice when something isn’t quite right. Being able to recognise these changes and knowing how to respond can make a real difference, helping residents get the support they need and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions where possible. It also helps colleagues understand when to seek additional medical support, so residents can access appropriate care as early as possible.

It’s been a year in the making, with HMT working closely with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to make this happen. The Trust has shared that HMT is the first residential care home organisation to offer BEACH training on a regular basis — a fantastic achievement and something we’re incredibly proud of.

Bringing BEACH into our homes is about building on the skills and knowledge our colleagues already have, giving them greater confidence to recognise changes in residents’ health and helping them understand when and how to act. It’s another way we’re investing in our teams and continuing to develop the care and support we provide to our residents.

A huge thank you to Gareth Rees, Lead Clinical Educator, for delivering the first sessions and to the team at St Quentin’s for leading the way.

This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to bring BEACH training to our other homes over the coming months.